Stewart scores 34 as Liberty beat Lynx to seize playoff series lead

New York moved within one victory of eliminating the WNBA's top seed on Sunday, beating Minnesota 91-75 in the opening game of their first-round playoff series in Minneapolis. Breanna Stewart finished with 34 points and 12 rebounds, leading the Liberty to an away win in the best-of-three matchup, according to reporting by EFE.

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The result put Minnesota's strong regular season in immediate jeopardy. EFE reported that the Lynx had finished 33-11, but that record offered no protection against a New York side now holding a 1-0 series lead. The Liberty can complete the upset in the second game, scheduled for September 29 in New York, rather than needing another victory in Minnesota.

Stewart made 11 of her 18 field-goal attempts in 37 minutes and also distributed six assists. EFE reported that Leonie Fiebich supplied 16 points and Sabrina Ionescu added 13 for New York. Minnesota's Napheesa Collier, meanwhile, was held to 12 points in the defeat.

Associated Press reporting detailed further difficulties for the Lynx: both Collier and Natasha Howard fouled out. Rookie Olivia Miles scored 11 points but made only three of her 12 shots and finished with one assist in her playoff debut. Nia Brodie provided Minnesota's highest individual total, scoring 16 points during 19 minutes off the bench.

Kayla McBride added 14 points for Minnesota after missing her first five attempts from three-point range. Stewart's contribution extended beyond scoring and rebounding, with two steals and two blocks. AP noted that her scoring total finished two points below the Liberty's single-game playoff record, underscoring the scale of her performance at the start of the series.

New York entered the postseason with a 26-18 record and a recent championship history against this opponent. The Liberty beat the Lynx in a five-game final for their first WNBA title two years ago, AP reported. Minnesota must now win Tuesday to keep this rematch alive; a deciding third game would be played at Target Center on Thursday.