Blogspot iconBlogspotSep 30, 2026 ~5 min source read

Liberty shock Lynx as Fever even series with Aces in WNBA playoff action

Two headline results: eighth-seeded New York Liberty eliminated top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 87-71, while the Indiana Fever evened their series with the Las Vegas Aces, winning 99-89. Other notes: Valkyries aim to sweep Dallas; Wings seek a statement game; player features include Tiffany Hayes and Kelsey Mitchell.

Share this story

Send the public story page.

Useful takeaways from this story.

New York Liberty completed an 87-71 win over the Minnesota Lynx to advance — the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in the WNBA's current playoff era.

Indiana Fever tied their series with a 99-89 victory over the Las Vegas Aces, forcing at least one more game in that matchup.

The WNBA playoff bracket is producing upsets and storylines: Valkyries focus on a sweep of Dallas, while the Wings need a defining performance to change momentum.

# What happened

# Why the Liberty result matters

Game 1, and they carried that momentum into Game 2 to close out Minnesota and move into the semifinals.

# Fever vs. Aces: series shifts Indiana's 99-89 victory keeps their series alive against Las Vegas. The win evened the matchup and forced the Aces to respond in the next game. The scoreline indicates a relatively high-scoring contest in which the Fever outpaced the Aces by 10 points.

# Other team storylines to watch

  • Valkyries: The team is focused on sweeping Dallas, which would give them momentum and a quick turnaround into the next stage of the playoffs. That objective frames their preparation and rotation choices in upcoming contests.
  • Wings: The Wings are looking for a statement game to change a recurring pattern that has held them back. A decisive performance would alter perceptions and affect matchups in the next round.
  • Marine Johannes: A behind-the-scenes piece highlights her role and presence on her team during the postseason stretch.
  • Kelsey Mitchell: Reported coverage details how Mitchell balances WNBA play with pursuing a PhD, showing how players manage careers and long-term goals during a compact season.

# What this means for the playoffs

# Immediate implications

  • New York advances into the semifinals with added confidence and the advantage of an early exit for a favored opponent.
  • Indiana's win gives the Fever at least one more chance to challenge the Aces and change series dynamics.

# Practical takeaways for readers

  • Expect the semifinal bracket to look different than pre-playoff projections because of New York's upset.
  • Watch the Fever-Aces rematch for adjustments on both ends: the Aces will need counterstrategies and the Fever will try to build on what worked in their 99-89 win.

# Next steps to follow Monitor official game schedules and box scores for follow-up games, and look for breakdowns of matchups in the new semifinal picture, especially how the Liberty's advance affects opponent matchups and travel considerations.

More context around this story.

Blogspot iconBlogspotOct 2, 2026

Aces bounce Fever to lock in their semifinal spot

Today's result: The Aces ran past the Fever, 94-83 . WNBA team news: It took until the playoffs, but the Liberty are finally firing on all cylinders . Golden State is pondering adjustments going into game 3 ...... they aim to return to their identity . The Valkyries prepared for Paige Bueckers, but overlooked Arike Ogu

Blogspot iconBlogspotSep 28, 2026

Routs on day one of the playoffs

Today's first-round, game 1 results: The Liberty dominated the Lynx, 91-75 . The Aces powered past the Fever, 102-85 . The Dream came back from behind to take the Mystics, 92-77 . The Valkyries blitzed the Wings, 104-80 . WNBA player news: Olivia Miles conquered her rookie season. The playoffs are a different test . AP

Loading more related stories...

Keep reading in the app

Open the app view to save this story, compare related coverage, and continue from the same source.

Open in app