WNBA1 hour ago1 minute read

Lynx Season Ends in Historic First Round Playoff Sweep

The top-seeded Minnesota Lynx made history for the wrong reasons, becoming the first No. 1 seed to be swept in the opening round of the WNBA playoffs.

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A Historic Disappointment

The Minnesota Lynx entered the postseason as the top seed, but their run ended in historic disappointment. Minnesota became the first No. 1 seed in WNBA history to be swept in the opening series. They fell 87-71 to the New York Liberty in Game 2. This marked the first time in franchise history the team lost consecutive playoff games by 15 or more points.

It was a bitter end for a team that went 31-7 in the regular season. Coach Cheryl Reeve, who won Coach of the Year for the fifth time, acknowledged the team ran into a bad matchup. "We became a great regular season team this year," Reeve said, "and we ran into the wrong team."

Finding the Right Pieces

Despite the regular season success, Reeve admitted that the roster might not be built for playoff success. She noted that while the team has exceeded expectations in recent regular seasons, they may not have the right group to get it done in the postseason. Reeve stated she needs to make hard decisions as both the coach and president of basketball operations to get the team appropriate help.

The Liberty's size and defense caused major problems for Minnesota. New York successfully shut down Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles and forward Natasha Howard. Miles struggled in her first postseason, finishing the series with 16 points, two assists, five turnovers, and seven fouls. Star player Napheesa Collier also struggled with foul trouble in Game 2.

An Uncertain Offseason

The Lynx now head into an important offseason. While Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, and Natasha Howard are under contract through 2027, Collier is set to hit free agency. Because she cannot be cored, her future with the franchise remains uncertain. Collier has not committed to staying with the team beyond this year.

What it means for the next game

New York Liberty at Minnesota Lynx (WNBA, Thu, 01 Oct): Minnesota Lynx win 52%, New York Liberty win 48%; projected score Minnesota Lynx 90, New York Liberty 89. Our safest pick: Liberty +8.5.