The Minnesota Lynx, the top seed in the WNBA playoffs, are eliminated in the first round after losing to the Liberty in a “shocking” upset. The defeat ends a season in which the Lynx were widely viewed as title contenders following a strong regular season.
With the offseason beginning, multiple outlets point to Napheesa Collier as the central figure in Minnesota’s near-term plans. Collier’s status becomes a key question because she is an unrestricted free agent. Coverage notes that the team’s roster and decision-making process will hinge on whether Collier re-signs, as Lynx leadership, including coach Cheryl Reeve, weighs responses to the early exit.
Across the reports, there is also emphasis on the broader context of the upset itself—Minnesota’s top-seed standing versus the opponent’s lower seed—along with the challenge of recalibrating after the playoff disappointment. Yahoo highlights Collier’s comments about free agency, while Star Tribune frames the offseason conversation as a multi-person discussion among team leadership.
Either way, the shared focus is that the Lynx’s offseason direction is uncertain and heavily tied to Collier’s free-agent decision.
