WNBA Semifinals Game 1: Breanna Stewart sparks Liberty, Napheesa Collier and Lynx hold off Fever

Why this one matters

Sunday marked the long-awaited tip-off of the 2026 WNBA Semifinals, and the opening doubleheader at Barclays Center and Target Center delivered every ounce of drama that basketball fans expected.

In Brooklyn, the New York Liberty threw the first punch in their high-profile trilogy against the two-time champion Las Vegas Aces, securing an 87-77 victory powered by a 34-point performance from Breanna Stewart.

In Minneapolis, the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx were forced to dig deep to hold off Caitlin Clark and the explosive Indiana Fever, closing out an 88-82 triumph behind 28 points from Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier.

Both home teams now hold 1-0 advantages in their best-of-five series, but the intensity on display proved that neither matchup will be resolved easily.

Stewart dominates the paint and perimeter

At Barclays Center, Stewart established her dominance from the opening tip:

• Record-setting scoring: Stewart scored 20 first-half points on varied finishes, shooting 12 of 19 from the field and 8 of 9 from the free throw line. Her 34 points broke the Liberty franchise postseason semifinal record.
• Ionescu’s perimeter daggers: Sabrina Ionescu provided crucial secondary scoring, knocking down five three-pointers on her way to 21 points and five assists.
• Containing A’ja Wilson: While Wilson battled for 21 points and six blocked shots, New York’s team defense swarmed her on catches, forcing four turnovers and limiting Las Vegas to 41 percent shooting.

Lynx survive Clark’s fourth-quarter surge

At Target Center, Indiana refused to buckle under Minnesota’s vaunted defense:

• Fever rally back: Trailing by 12 points late in the third quarter, Caitlin Clark (22 points, 9 assists) and Kelsey Mitchell (21 points) orchestrated a 14-2 run to knot the score at 82-82 with 2:14 remaining.
• Collier’s clutch closing: Collier answered with a tough turnaround jumper over Aliyah Boston, then came up with a clean steal on Clark’s subsequent drive to set up free throws that sealed the 88-82 win.

With Game 2 set for Tuesday, the pressure now shifts entirely to the road teams to earn a split before the series transition venues.