The Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty will meet in the first round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs on Sunday, Sept. 27, marking the first postseason meeting between the teams since the controversial 2024 WNBA Finals.
The Liberty defeated the Lynx 67-62 (OT) in a decisive Game 5 to clinch the 2024 WNBA Finals series 3-2, and win their first title in franchise history. Head coach Cheryl Reeve blasted “disappointing officiating” following the championship series and said the title was “stolen" from Lynx.
"What does it mean? You have to have a healthy dislike for one another, and I think that exists, but also at the same time, a lot of respect," Reeve said on Thursday, in reference to the rematch. "And so it makes for, I guess, great cinema and hopefully
some great games for us, particularly at Target Center."
Both teams are banged up heading into the postseason. Olivia Miles, the Rookie of the Year frontrunner, missed the Lynx’s final two games of the regular season with a left calf injury. Meanwhile, Breanna Stewart sat out the Liberty’s regular-season finale with left knee soreness, while Jonquel Jones made an early exit from the matchup after twisting her left ankle and is questionable.
Miles is leading the Lynx in scoring (19.8 points per game) and assists (6.0). All five of the Lynx’s starters are averaging double-digits. Stewart leads the Liberty in scoring (20.8 points per game), steals (1.4) and blocks (1.3).
Here's everything you need to know about the first-round playoff matchup between the Lynx and Liberty:
What time is Lynx vs Liberty?
The No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx faces off against the No. 8 seed New York Liberty in the first-round of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 27, at Target Center in Minneapolis.
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT)
- Location: Target Center (Minneapolis)
What TV channel is Lynx vs Liberty on today?
The first-round matchup between the Lynx and Liberty on Sunday, Sept. 27, will be broadcast on ABC. The contest can also be streamed on the ESPN App.
- Channel: ABC
- Stream: ESPN App
Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty first-round schedule
- Sunday, Sept. 27: Game 1 | 2 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Tuesday, Sept. 29: Game 2 | 8:30 p.m. ET (USA/CNBC)
- Thursday, Oct. 1: Game 3 (if necessary) | TBD
2026 WNBA playoffs bracket
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty: Time, how to watch WNBA playoffs
