WNBA first round opener sees Minnesota Lynx host New York Liberty

match details and competition context

The WNBA first round Game 1 between Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty takes place on Sunday, 27 September 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 UTC at the Target Center in Minneapolis. This opening clash of the playoffs promises to set the tone for the series as both teams look to advance further in the competition. The Lynx enter as the home side, seeking to leverage their strong regular season showing on their home court. The match is officiated by the appointed referee for this round, ensuring a fair contest. For fans in the United States, the game will be broadcast live on ABC.

current standings and season form

Minnesota Lynx secured the top spot in the standings after a 44-game regular season, boasting 33 wins and 11 losses. They scored a total of 3997 points while conceding 3681, giving them a positive goal difference of 316. New York Liberty come into the match with a solid recent form, having won three of their last five games, scoring 433 points and conceding 394 in that span. Minnesota’s recent form shows a more mixed picture with two victories and three defeats in their last five outings, scoring 426 points and allowing 433. This suggests a closely contested fixture as both sides have had some challenges to overcome heading into the playoffs.

head-to-head history

The teams have met three times previously this season. New York Liberty have the edge with two wins against Minnesota Lynx’s single victory. Their most recent encounter was on 18 September 2026 at the Target Center, where the Liberty won 93-81. Earlier meetings include a 90-85 win for the Lynx on 11 July 2026 at home and a 99-86 victory for the Liberty on 3 July 2026 on their home court. The aggregate scoreline across these three games totals 534 points, indicating high-scoring, competitive matches between the two sides. This recent history highlights the Liberty’s capacity to secure wins on the road, which could be crucial in this first round tie.

expectations and potential outcomes

Given Minnesota Lynx’s status as the top-ranked team and home advantage, they will be eager to open the series with a strong performance. However, their recent results suggest some inconsistency, having lost three of their last five games. New York Liberty have demonstrated resilience with three wins from their last five, including a notable away victory against the Lynx earlier this month. The Liberty’s ability to score heavily and defend well could make this a tightly fought encounter. Fans can expect an intense battle where momentum may swing either way, with both teams having legitimate prospects to claim victory on the day.

Where the teams stand

Recent form

Head-to-head