The Minnesota Lynx are officially on the wrong side of WNBA history, getting swiftly swept out of the playoffs by the No. 8 seed New York Liberty after putting up the best regular season record in the league. This wasn’t just a loss, folks; it was a brutal two-game beatdown that saw the Lynx become the very first No. 1 seed to ever lose to a No. 8 seed in WNBA history. You heard that right. First. Ever.
Olivia Miles’ Game 2 Meltdown and a Shocking Sweep
Nobody expected this kind of exit, especially not for a team that had the WNBA’s best record heading into the postseason. That 87-71 loss to New York basically slammed the door shut on Minnesota’s season, completing the two-game sweep that nobody in the league saw coming for the top seed. The biggest problem? Their star power just vanished when it mattered most. Olivia Miles, who was brilliant for much of the regular season, absolutely cratered in the postseason. She put up a dismal five points on a pathetic 1-of-8 shooting from the field in Game 2, after a similarly tough 3-of-12 performance in Game 1. And it wasn’t just Miles. Napheesa Collier struggled too, hitting only 6-of-14 from the field in the final game. That supposed “one-two punch” that carried them all year? It couldn’t counter New York when the stakes were highest.
The Liberty’s Champion Trio Just Took Over
Here’s the kicker, though: this New York Liberty squad is *not* your typical No. 8 seed. Not even close. They might have ridden a rollercoaster of inconsistency through the regular season, thanks to injuries and some uneven play, but let’s be real, this is a group of champions! They still have that championship DNA from their 2024 title, and the same core stars who know how to take over a game when it counts. And boy, did they take over. Jonquel Jones was an absolute beast down low, racking up a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Sabrina Ionescu dropped 18 points and dished out seven assists, making plays all over the court. And then there’s Breanna Stewart, doing everything you could possibly ask for: 21 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks. Those three names alone tell you everything you need to know about why this Liberty team just made history.
Minnesota learned the hard way with that swift sweep, but you can bet every other team left in the playoffs just took serious note. The Liberty are not far removed from that 2024 title, and they’ve already made WNBA history this week. Now, their sights are set on reaching that WNBA mountaintop once again, and frankly, who’s going to stop them?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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