The trap Liberty know is waiting as they try to close out Lynx

MINNEAPOLIS — There was no mistaking the message from Breanna Stewart. The eighth-seeded Liberty walked into Target Center on Sunday on a mission, and left with a 91-75 win against the top-seeded Lynx, putting them one win from the semifinals while pushing Minnesota’s season to the verge of elimination. Stewart authored her best playoff game in a Liberty uniform, posting 34 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA.And yet, Stewart wasn’t outwardly celebrating like someone who had helped demoralize the league’s best team. “This doesn’t mean relax,” Stewart said of going up 1-0 in the best-of-three series.

“Minny’s exceptionally talented, and they’ll throw everything at us Tuesday.” Stewart remembered what happened a year ago.She’s far from the only one. Last September, the Liberty won Game 1 of their first-round series against the Mercury on the road.

They returned home and got hammered 86-60.Two nights later, the Mercury finished the job.

The Liberty had the advantage but couldn’t hold on. They face a similar trap Tuesday, when they host the Lynx for a potential closeout game. “We understand it’s going to be even harder now that we have them on the ropes,” Jonquel Jones said.“When you have anybody with their backs against the wall, they’re going to fight to try to get out of that.” After Sunday’s loss, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve took solace in knowing they went a league-best 18-4 on the road during the regular season. Though Game 1 was a disappointing result for the Lynx, veteran guard Kayla McBride said the locker room’s confidence hadn’t been rocked. “There’s not one second that I don’t believe in this group,” McBride said.

“This 40 minutes wasn’t our best, but we have another opportunity to show up for ourselves, for each other and for...