The New York Liberty beat the Minnesota Lynx 91-75 in Game 1 on Sunday, with Breanna Stewart leading all players with 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists as New York claimed a 1-0 series lead at Target Center.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Liberty 25, Lynx 18
New York established an early seven-point advantage by putting up 25 points in the opening period. The Liberty’s efficient shooting gave them room to work, while Minnesota entered the second quarter needing to find more consistent offense.
Second Quarter: Lynx 26, Liberty 15
Minnesota responded with its strongest quarter of the afternoon, outscoring New York 26-15 to take a 44-40 halftime lead. The Lynx moved the ball effectively during the period and used their 20 assists for the game to create better looks.
Third Quarter: Liberty 25, Lynx 16
The Liberty regained control after halftime. New York outscored Minnesota 25-16 in the third, turning its four-point halftime deficit into a five-point lead entering the final quarter. Stewart’s all-around production helped stabilize the Liberty during the decisive swing.
Fourth Quarter: Liberty 26, Lynx 15
New York pulled away in the fourth, posting 26 points while holding Minnesota to 15. The Liberty closed the game with another efficient offensive period and secured the 16-point road win without overtime.
Key Performers
Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty: Stewart delivered the game’s defining stat line with 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. She led New York in each category, providing both scoring efficiency and playmaking in the series-opening victory.
Nia Brodie, Minnesota Lynx: Brodie paced Minnesota with 16 points. She was the Lynx’s leading scorer in a game where the home side shot 41.8% from the field.
Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx: Miles led the Lynx with eight rebounds, a notable total on a day when Minnesota was outrebounded 38-23.
Kayla McBride, Minnesota Lynx: McBride finished with 14 points and a team-high six assists, helping Minnesota generate offense during its productive second quarter.
NerdSports Stat: New York made four more three-pointers than Minnesota despite attempting one fewer, finishing 13-for-25 from deep while the Lynx went 9-for-26.
Game Analysis
The Liberty’s shooting and rebounding advantages shaped the result. New York converted 31 of 61 field-goal attempts for 50.8% and made 13 of 25 three-point attempts for 52.0%. Minnesota made 28 of 67 shots overall and finished 9-for-26 from beyond the arc.
New York also held a 38-23 edge on the glass, creating a substantial possession advantage. The Liberty added 25 assists to Minnesota’s 20 and were more efficient at the foul line, converting 16 of 18 attempts compared with Minnesota’s 10 of 13.
Minnesota showed its ability to respond in the second quarter, when it erased New York’s first-quarter lead and carried a four-point advantage into halftime. But the Liberty outscored the Lynx 51-31 over the final two periods, combining timely shooting with a stronger rebounding presence to take control of Game 1.
Series Context
With the win, New York leads the best-of-three first-round playoff series 1-0. The Liberty improved to 1-0 in the postseason, while Minnesota is 0-1 and will look to level the series in the next game. The Game 1 matchup drew an attendance of 12,339 at Target Center and aired nationally on ABC.
Frequently Asked Questions
New York Liberty defeated Minnesota Lynx 91-75 on September 27, 2026.
Breanna Stewart scored 34 points; her individual shooting percentage was not included in the available game data.
After the win, New York Liberty sits 1-0 in the playoff series.
Breanna Stewart was the standout performer with 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.
