Minnesota Lynx eliminated from WNBA playoffs by New York Liberty

The Minnesota Lynx have been eliminated from the WNBA playoffs following an 87-71 loss to the eighth-seeded New York Liberty at Barclays Center. This defeat marks a historic upset, as the Lynx became the first No. 1 seed to lose in the opening round since the league adopted the current eight-team, no-bye format in 2022.

Despite finishing the regular season with a league-best 67-21 record, the Lynx struggled to translate dominance into postseason success. Head coach Cheryl Reeve noted that while the team has exceeded expectations in the regular season, they have struggled to field the right group for effective playoff performance.

The elimination raises significant questions regarding the team's roster for the upcoming offseason. Star player Napheesa Collier is widely expected to enter free agency, with her recent comments and coaching remarks suggesting a potential departure. The team must now determine how to navigate the loss of its most talented player while maintaining its status as a regular-season contender.