The hugs and handshake lines started before the final horn officially sounded. 

Many had doubted what the Liberty would be capable of doing this postseason.

But New York never questioned its potential.

The Liberty set out to make history.

On Tuesday, New York delivered a performance that those inside Barclays Center won’t soon forget. 

The Liberty earned a historic 87-71 win to sweep the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 2-0 in the first round of the playoffs.

New York became the first eight seed to send the No. 1 team home.

Doing it against one of the franchise’s biggest rivals makes the accomplishment all the more sweet.

Sabrina Ionescu celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer during the Liberty’s series-clinching win over the Lynx on Sept. 29, 2026 at Barclays Center. Michelle Farsi for New York Post

A year after getting spanked in front of their home crowd in Game 2, only to be eliminated on the road the next game, the Liberty avoided making the same disastrous mistake.

They took care of business and played arguably their best game of the season to advance to the semifinals for the third time in four years.