The No 8 seed New York Liberty beat the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 87-71 in Game 2 to complete a 2-0 series sweep, becoming the first No 8 seed to knock out a No 1 seed in WNBA history.
Key facts
- New York Liberty beat Minnesota Lynx 87-71 in Game 2 on Tuesday night
- Liberty swept the series 2-0 to advance to the semi-finals
- First No 8 seed to eliminate a No 1 seed in the WNBA's 30-year history
- Jonquel Jones posted 21 points and 13 rebounds
- Breanna Stewart added 21 points and Sabrina Ionescu scored 18
The No 8 seed New York Liberty pulled off a historic upset on Tuesday night, defeating the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 87-71 in Game 2 of their WNBA playoff series to advance to the semi-finals, according to the Guardian.
The win completed a 2-0 series sweep and made the Liberty the first No 8 seed to eliminate a No 1 seed in the league’s 30-year history.
Jonquel Jones led the way with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Breanna Stewart matched her with 21 points, while Sabrina Ionescu added 18 to power New York past Minnesota.
The achievement is notable in part because of how the WNBA’s postseason has evolved. The league has used a number of different playoff formats over the years, and in many of them it was not possible for the top and bottom seeds to meet.
That changed in 2022, when the WNBA adopted its current format in which the top eight teams play in the quarter-finals, creating the possibility of an 8-versus-1 matchup. The Liberty are the first team to turn that opportunity into a historic upset.
Why it matters
Upsets of a No 1 seed by a No 8 seed are rare across professional sports, and this is the first in the WNBA's three decades. The result highlights the unpredictability of the league's current playoff format and reshapes expectations for the remaining postseason.
Frequently asked questions
What was the final score of Game 2?
The New York Liberty beat the Minnesota Lynx 87-71 in Game 2 on Tuesday night.
Why is the result historic?
The Liberty became the first No 8 seed to eliminate a No 1 seed in the WNBA's 30-year history.
Who led the Liberty in scoring?
Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart each scored 21 points, with Jones adding 13 rebounds, while Sabrina Ionescu contributed 18 points.