Photo via New York Post

Liberty brush off concerns over banged-up stars before playoffs

Read the original at New York Post ↗
Cite

Kenney, M. (2026, September 27). Liberty brush off concerns over banged-up stars before playoffs. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2026/09/26/sports/liberty-brush-off-concerns-over-banged-up-stars-before-playoffs/

Dated when The Aporia collected the article, usually within hours of publication. Check the original for its exact date and byline.

New York Post · collected 2026-09-27 · by Madeline Kenney

Quick Summary

The Liberty are preparing for their playoff series against the Minnesota Lynx with concerns over star players Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. Stewart is expected to play despite knee soreness, while Jones has an uncertain status due to a rolled ankle. Coach Chris DeMarco expressed optimism about both players' health as they prepare for Game 1 of the playoffs.
Written by AI on 2026-10-02, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

The New York Liberty secured a shocking 91-75 victory over the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in Game 1 of their best-of-three WNBA playoff series on Sunday, April 23, 2026. Despite finishing as the eighth seed with a record of 26-18, the Liberty's star player Breanna Stewart led the charge with an impressive performance of 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. The win puts the Liberty one game away from eliminating the previously undefeated Lynx, who must now win Game 2 to avoid being the first top-seeded team in history to fail to advance past the first round since a format change in 2022.

Stewart's clutch play was pivotal, as she scored crucial points and made key defensive plays against her former college teammate Napheesa Collier. The Liberty capitalized on multiple Lynx turnovers and foul trouble, with Collier and All-Star center Natasha Howard each fouling out of the game. Rookie Olivia Miles struggled in her first playoff appearance, scoring just 11 points.

With Game 2 scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, at home, the Liberty now hold a narrow advantage but remain wary of a potential Lynx comeback, as they narrowly escaped a similar situation last year against Phoenix. The Liberty’s defense was instrumental in limiting the Lynx's scoring opportunities and forcing turnovers that kept the game close until the final quarter when New York pulled away. Despite their historic lead, Stewart emphasized the need for continued focus to avoid being caught off guard by Minnesota's resilience.

Written for “Liberty-Lynx WNBA Playoff Matchup” on 2026-11-03, grounded in this article and the 13 other(s) covering the same event.

Story

📰 Liberty-Lynx WNBA Playoff Matchup
Sports · 14 article(s) covering the same event. Compare every outlet's account →

Compared with similar articles

This article reads unscored and hedges 4% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.
Breanna Stewart's 34 points leads the Liberty in Game 1, and pushes the top-seeded Lynx to the brink Same event
Toronto Star
Hedges 1 of 9 claims Outlet record 64/100
A new playoff spotlight: Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers set for their WNBA postseason debuts Different event
Toronto Star
Hedges 1 of 37 claims Outlet record 64/100
“The articles describe different aspects of WNBA playoff preparations and do not refer to the same specific incident or match.”
Breanna Stewart making WNBA playoff history is no surprise — and gives Liberty reason to dream Different event
New York Post
Hedges 1 of 6 claims Outlet record 66/100
“The articles describe different moments in time, one discussing the status of players before Game 1 and the other detailing an incident during a game.”
Liberty oust top-seeded Lynx to reach second round of WNBA playoffs in historic upset Different event
New York Post
Hedges 0 of 35 claims Outlet record 66/100
“Article A discusses concerns about players' injuries before the playoffs, while Article B reports on a historic upset victory in Game 1 of the first-round series against the Minnesota Lynx.”
Jonquel Jones regains dominant MVP form at perfect time for Liberty Different event
New York Post
Hedges 0 of 19 claims Outlet record 66/100
“Article A discusses Jonquel Jones' uncertain status before Game 1, while Article B reports her dominant performance in a later playoff game.”
Liberty crush top-seeded Lynx in Game 1 stunner Different event
New York Post
Hedges 0 of 45 claims Outlet record 66/100
“Article A discusses concerns about players' health before the playoffs, while Article B reports on the actual game result from Game 1.”
Liberty win Game 1 to put top-seeded Lynx on brink of WNBA playoff exit Different event
The Guardian
Hedges 1 of 9 claims Outlet record 66/100
“Article A discusses concerns about Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones playing before the playoffs, while Article B reports on the Liberty's victory in Game 1 of the playoff series.”
Liberty vs. Lynx prediction: Buy low on NY to cover Game 1 spread Different event
New York Post
Hedges 2 of 20 claims Outlet record 66/100
“Article A reports on the status of players before a playoff game, while Article B provides predictions and analysis for the same upcoming game.”
Co-owner Joe Tsai says Liberty ‘best team in playoffs’ before semifinal clash vs. Dream begins Different event
New York Post
Hedges 1 of 33 claims Outlet record 66/100
“Article A discusses concerns over player injuries before the playoffs start, while Article B reports on a co-owner's declaration after the Liberty swept their first-round series.”
Breaking down Liberty-Lynx WNBA playoff matchup, plus a prediction Different event
New York Post
Hedges 1 of 45 claims Outlet record 66/100
“While both articles discuss the Liberty's approach to the playoffs, they do not describe a single specific incident or occurrence.”
How this article was measured signals, leaning charts, publisher record, byline, topics and claims

Signals How these are calculated →

Claims extracted
24
sentences that state something as happening or true
Uncertain
4%
1 of 24 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")
Leaning
not political
takes no side on a contested political question
Publisher signals
66/100
New York Post's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.
Outlets on this story
14
Sports
Same framing elsewhere
1
articles that frame the event the way this one does
Analyzed 2026-09-27 · how these are computed

How this is being covered How these are calculated →

Article leaning vs. publisher reliability
Source leaning vs. consistency

Publisher

New York Post · 16438 article(s) · 35 correction(s) detected
Running correction rate · 35 correction(s)
2026-10-26
Ex-NYPD cop charged in George Washington Bridge road rage killing free on $1M bail
2026-10-23
Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Lupin’ Season 4 On Netflix, Where The Master Thief Finds Out Who Pulled Off A Copycat Heist While He Was In Prison
2026-10-20
ISIS terrorist who plotted NYC mass slaughter gets 50 more years for blinding prison guard
2026-10-18
The AI bubble is about to burst — and a big market correction is coming
2026-10-16
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs moved out of New Jersey prison days after head injury, reports of special treatment
2026-10-13
‘Compassionate’ drug policy is anything but — woke Canada shows us why
2026-10-10
Cornell set to become first Ivy to offer degrees in prison
2026-10-09
Prison where Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is serving sentence is at the center of sex abuse scandal
2026-10-08
Christa Pike is ‘up and walking’ after botched execution — and she remembers: ‘She is angry’
2026-10-08
Christa Pike’s aunt believes killer’s survival of botched execution is God’s will: ‘God is in control, not the Department of Correction’
2026-10-08
Manson killer Patricia Krenwinkel granted parole again after nearly 6 decades behind bars
2026-10-07
Former corrections officer allegedly killed his wife — and forced his kids to help
2026-10-04
Ex-US Attorney will lead independent review of Christa Pike botched execution
2026-10-03
Tennessee prison chief resigns after Christa Pike’s botched execution
2026-10-03
Inmates getting paper straws in Canadian prisons for ‘safer snorting’ of drugs
2026-10-02
Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Ken Urker’s relationship timeline: From prison proposal to his untimely death
2026-10-01
‘Triple-G’ weight loss drug update: Even on the lowest dose, trial patients lost 12.7% of their weight
2026-10-01
Christa Pike likely has ‘brain injury’ after botched execution — here’s what went wrong: ‘Degraded’ drugs, damaged veins
2026-09-29
Tennessee’s first female death row inmate in 200 years snubs her last meal ahead of Wednesday execution
2026-09-27
Trump asked China’s Xi Jinping if he’d ‘like to buy’ American weapons, US ambassador reveals
2026-09-27
Police give update on Hayden Panettiere’s death investigation after overdose ruling
2026-09-26
NYC’s embattled jail system saw startling 76% spike in inmate assaults and fights
2026-09-24
‘Pioneer Woman’ Ree Drummond’s son Jamar detained for biting cop months before assault arrest
2026-09-22
GOP’s Bruce Blakeman promises to ease solitary confinement limits as he picks up correction union nod
2026-09-19
‘Landman’ Season 3 Release Date Update: When Does The Next Season of ‘Landman’ Come Out?
2026-09-19
Nick Reiner hasn’t received ‘even $5’ from $1.6M family trust, lawyers claim
2026-09-18
UCLA chancellor pressured to retract rebuke over event with 9/11 ‘mastermind’ lawyer
2026-09-18
Bo Bichette’s willingness to change positions could reshape Mets’ infield
2026-09-18
Mamdani mourns NYC thief accused of murdering man with special needs
2026-09-18
Alabama killer’s last words before he’s executed for 1998 pawnshop double murder revealed
2026-09-18
Shock poll shows another huge swing in California governor’s race
2026-09-15
Fast food chains are making a major shift in customer service amid complaints of a ‘lonely and disconnected’ store experience
2026-09-15
Are Cocoa Puffs Maria Sten’s Favorite Cereal? The ‘Reacher’ and ‘Neagley’ Star Sets The Record Straight: “I Have to Make Clarifications”
2026-09-06
Long Island inmates in jail on drug charges use photo program to get clean
2026-09-06
‘Landman’ Season 3 Release Date Update: When Does ‘Landman’ Return With New Episodes?

Who wrote this

Madeline Kenney
53 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction
🔮 Jazzy Davidson, the reigning Freshman of the Year, is expected to take a leap, and USC also welcomes the nation’s top recruiting class, headlined by Saniyah Hall.
2026-11-01 · assertive framing · Women’s college basketball preseason top 25: Ranking the title contenders
🔮 Regardless of what happens Saturday, a first-time champion will be crowned.
2026-10-29 · assertive framing · WNBA can make Game 7 a memorable moment in otherwise forgettable Finals
🔮 But they will have to do it without Jaedyn Shaw and Rose Lavelle, two of the club’s leading scorers.
2026-10-25 · assertive framing · Gotham lose top stars to injury with NWSL Shield still on the line
🔮 A 27-point blowout prompted Gabby Williams to immediately deliver an impassioned message to her teammates in a huddle on the floor.
2026-10-24 · assertive framing · Not only did Valkyries win WNBA Finals Game 4, they rediscovered their identity
🔮 This unfamiliar position has forced the U.S. to confront a new reality in which reclaiming the top spot will require measuring itself against the team that holds it.
2026-10-14 · assertive framing · US women erase two-goal deficit to tie World Cup champion Spain
🔮 Entering Friday, with New York on the brink of elimination, all Stewart could think about was extending the Liberty’s season.
2026-10-10 · assertive framing · Breanna Stewart calls 2026 a ‘missed opportunity’ — and vows to spill her roster thoughts with GM
🔮 The Liberty would like to think they could be the first and vowed to chip away at the mountain one game at a time. “The mentality is just that it’s not over,” Ionescu said.
2026-10-09 · assertive framing · Sabrina Ionescu shoulders blame as Liberty face elimination in Game 3
🔮 When the Women’s Champions Classic returns to Barclays Center later this year, the spotlight will shine on some of the biggest stars in women’s college basketball.
2026-10-08 · assertive framing · Check out the unique Breanna Stewart bobblehead coming to UConn’s Brooklyn showcase
🔮 The Liberty, now trailing 2-0 in the best-of-five semifinals, learned after the game they had a reset timeout after all and could’ve advanced the ball on the final possession.
2026-10-08 · assertive framing · Wild timeout controversy hangs over Liberty’s Game 2 loss that puts season on brink
🔮 NOW“I would probably say that too if I didn’t want to admit that we got beat by somebody else,” Dream wing Rhyne Howard said Tuesday.
2026-10-07 · assertive framing · Liberty see self-inflicted turnover problem as Game 1 culprit — but Dream star isn’t buying it
Also by Madeline Kenney
Gotham FC far from satisfied after claiming first NWSL Shield
2026-11-02 · New York Post
JuJu Watkins returns: USC phenom ready to take over women’s college basketball
2026-11-01 · New York Post
Women’s college basketball preseason top 25: Ranking the title contenders
2026-11-01 · New York Post
WNBA can make Game 7 a memorable moment in otherwise forgettable Finals
2026-10-29 · New York Post
Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.
All 53 articles by Madeline Kenney →

Topics

Game 1 Liberty Libs MINNEAPOLIS the Minnesota Lynx

Subjects

Liberty ORG · 7× Jones PERSON · 4× Stewart PERSON · 4× DeMarco PERSON · 2× Breanna Stewart PERSON · 1× Libs ORG · 1× MINNEAPOLIS GPE · 1× Madeline Kenney PERSON · 1× Post Sports+ ORG · 1× the Minnesota Lynx ORG · 1×

Narrative

Breanna Stewart is expected to play Sunday in Game 1 of the first-round series against the Minnesota Lynx after sitting out the Libs’ regular-season finale Wednesday with left knee soreness.
framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-27
🔮 Breanna Stewart is expected to play Sunday in Game 1 of the first-round series against the Minnesota Lynx after sitting out the Libs’ regular-season finale Wednesday with left knee soreness.
2026-09-27 · New York Post
Liberty brush off concerns over banged-up stars before playoffs · assertive framing

Claims (24 extracted, 1 hedged)

The Liberty are heading into the playoffs with two of their biggest stars at the center of concern. asserted
Liberty → head → concern
Breanna Stewart is expected to play Sunday in Game 1 of the first-round series against the Minnesota Lynx after sitting out the Libs’ regular-season finale Wednesday with left knee soreness. asserted
Stewart → expect → soreness
We’ve got you covered on the Liberty beat Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA. asserted
you → get → things
tRY IT NOWMeanwhile, Jonquel Jones’ status is far less certain after she rolled her left ankle in the last game. asserted
she → try → game
Coach Chris DeMarco previously described Stewart’s absence as precautionary, though he stopped short of guaranteeing her availability for the playoffs. asserted
he → describe → playoffs
Speaking Saturday for the first time since she was downgraded to “out” for that last game, Stewart told The Post she feels “incredible” and “great.” asserted
she → speak → Post
She acknowledged she had some swelling in her knee after Rhyne Howard accidentally fell into her in the Liberty’s second-to-last game. asserted
Howard → acknowledge → game
Stewart said she felt something get pulled in a “weird” way but downplayed the severity. asserted
something → say → severity
Stewart and Jones were “almost” full participants Saturday in the Liberty’s final tuneup ahead of the playoffs, according to DeMarco. uncertain
Stewart → accord → DeMarco
Despite the injury designation, Jones said, “I feel good.” asserted
I → say → designation
As for whether she’ll play, she said, “We’re working through it. asserted
We → play → it
We’ll see.” asserted
We → see → ?
Jones punctuated those words with what appeared to be a sly smile. asserted
what → punctuate → words
Jones was listed as “questionable” on the Liberty’s injury report. asserted
Jones → list → report
All in all, talk about a sigh of relief for the Liberty, who have been riddled with injuries this season. asserted
who → riddle → injuries
“It’s scary end of the year,” DeMarco said. asserted
DeMarco → ’ → year
“You want to be fully healthy going into the playoffs and so even the other night, the tweak with JJ’s ankle, and of course, it’s scary but we feel good. asserted
we → want → course
We feel like we’re gonna be healthy going in.” asserted
we → feel → ?
The Lynx were also dealing with some injury concerns heading into the postseason. asserted
Lynx → deal → postseason
Olivia Miles missed the final two games of the regular season with a calf injury. asserted
Miles → miss → injury
She spoke with Minnesota reporters Saturday and appeared ready to go. asserted
She → speak → reporters
She said she’s eager to “to feel the energy” of a playoff atmosphere in Target Center. asserted
she → say → Center
“It’s always electric in there,” Miles said, “but I can’t imagine what it will be like tomorrow. asserted
it → ’ → what
I’m excited to feel the physicality of the game, obviously feel it out.” asserted
I → ’m → it
💬Give feedback
🕘History 🎫Support
Terms · Privacy · beta v2.0.0
Articles to 3 Nov 2026