Liberty Swept Lynx After Miles Flagrant Foul
The New York Liberty eliminated the Minnesota Lynx from the WNBA playoffs following a heated game two matchup.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Basketball
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The New York Liberty secured a playoff sweep against the Minnesota Lynx, becoming the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in league history. During the game, Minnesota guard and newly named Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles was assessed a flagrant 1 foul for a foul on Breanna Stewart.
Why it matters
The outcome marks a historic upset in WNBA history while highlighting the intense physical play that defined the first-round series between the two teams.
Olivia Miles scored 5 points on 1-for-8 shooting in 17 minutes of play, while Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones both contributed 21 points each. The Liberty completed a 2-game sweep against the top-seeded Lynx.
The players
Olivia Miles
She is a Minnesota Lynx guard who was recently named the WNBA Rookie of the Year.
Breanna Stewart
She is a New York Liberty forward who played a central role in the team's playoff series victory.
Jonquel Jones
She is a New York Liberty player who scored 21 points in the game against the Minnesota Lynx.
The details
The flagrant 1 foul occurred when Olivia Miles attempted to block a layup by Breanna Stewart but missed the ball, striking Stewart across the face instead. The officiating crew reviewed the play before assigning the penalty to the Minnesota guard.
Timeline
Monday: Olivia Miles was named WNBA Rookie of the Year.
Tuesday: Olivia Miles committed the flagrant foul during the playoff game.
Season Trajectory
This historic upset fundamentally alters the league's playoff bracket by removing the top overall seed early in the postseason. The result validates the competitiveness of lower-seeded teams and disrupts expectations for the remainder of the WNBA championship race.
The New York Liberty advance to the next round of the playoffs as the No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx are eliminated. Fantasy managers and fans should note the end of the Minnesota season and the advancement of Liberty core players like Stewart and Jones.
The takeaway
The Liberty historic win underscores how lower-seeded teams can overcome top-tier opponents in high-stakes playoff environments. The series serves as a reminder that individual accolades like Rookie of the Year do not guarantee success when facing seasoned postseason opponents.
Further reading
For more on the current postseason landscape, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportskeeda.
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