Breanna Stewart's 34 points leads the Liberty in Game 1, and pushes the top-seeded Lynx to the brink

Breanna Stewart produced yet another clutch performance in the WNBA playoffs with 34 points and 12 rebounds for the New York Liberty in a 91-75 victory over the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx to open their best-of-three first-round series on Sunday.

Stewart, the two-time league MVP, added six assists, two steals and two blocks. She shot 11 for 18 from the floor with her friend and former college teammate Napheesa Collier, the 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, guarding her most of the afternoon.

Stewart, who recently helped the U.S. national team win a fifth consecutive World Cup, has the second-highest postseason scoring average by any player in league history. She was two short of the Liberty franchise record for points in a playoff game.

Nia Brodie led the Lynx with 16 points in 19 minutes off the bench and Kayla McBride had 14 points after missing her first five 3-point attempts. Collier and All-Star center Natasha Howard each fouled out, and star rookie Olivia Miles had a quiet postseason debut with 11 points on 3-for-12 shooting and just one assist.

New York hosts Game 2 on Tuesday with the opportunity to eliminate Minnesota, which must win to bring Game 3 back to Target Center on Thursday.

The Liberty were as tough of an opponent as a team with the league's best regular season record could face, finishing 26-18 and just two years removed from their first WNBA championship that came at the expense of the Lynx in a dramatic final that went the full five games.

The Liberty were ousted in the first round last season by the Phoenix Mercury, who then eliminated the top-seeded Lynx before losing to the Las Vegas Aces for the title.

Lynx fans optimistic despite loss

The energy was high as Lynx fans walked into Target Center to support the team they love.  

"They're just gonna kill it. It's going to be a great time," said Scoobie Turton, who's from Columbia Heights.

Throughout the season, a common theme amongst fans is the feeling inside the arena.  

"We're going all the way. We've got to get to the parade," said Valencia Matthews, of St. Paul. "I'm gonna be out here swinging from this light pole. We'll be winning the championship. Everybody stay tuned!"

"The atmosphere of the game, it's just a lot of fun," Tim Kehoem, of Minneapolis, said.

Despite Sunday's loss, the optimism remains.

"They're just gonna kill it; it's going to be a great time," Turton added.