Liberty beat Lynx 91-75 to take Game 1

The New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx 91-75 in Game 1 of their best-of-three WNBA first-round series on Sunday, putting the top-seeded Lynx one loss from elimination. Breanna Stewart led New York with 34 points and 12 rebounds as the Liberty took a 1-0 lead in the series. New York made 13 of 25 shots from three-point range, according to the postgame account. Stewart also recorded six assists, two steals and two blocks, shooting 11 for 18 from the floor. Sabrina Ionescu added 13 points, while Leonie Fiebich scored 16 and made four of her five three-point attempts. Minnesota’s Nia Brodie led the Lynx with 16 points in 19 minutes off the bench. Kayla McBride had 14 points after missing her first five attempts from beyond the arc. Napheesa Collier and Natasha Howard fouled out, and rookie Olivia Miles scored 11 points on 3-for-12 shooting, with one assist. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said Minnesota’s fouling hurt the team, particularly as it tried to defend Stewart. Reeve also said the offense had become too difficult and that the team could find easier options. The account reported that Stewart drew 12 free throws.