Minnesota Lynx

Lynx face New York Liberty in playoffs that start Sunday

A basketball player in black runs up to the hoop while two defenders in turquoise flank her.
Olivia Miles (5) of the Minnesota Lynx draws a foul against Rebecca Allen (9) of the New York Liberty in the fourth quarter at Target Center on Sept. 18 in Minneapolis. The Lynx face the Liberty in a rematch Sunday at 1 p.m. for their first playoff game.
David Berding | Getty Images

The Minnesota Lynx return to Target Center on Sunday for their first round playoff matchup against the New York Liberty.

It’s a rematch of the 2024 WNBA championship, which the Lynx lost in dramatic fashion. All-star rookie Olivia Miles will also make her return after sitting out the last two games with an injury.

“I'm excited to to feel the physicality of the game,” Miles said Saturday during a practice before the game. “Obviously, feel it out, see how the refs are calling stuff, and then see where I can get to to my spots and then help my team as well."

Reeve said the team of playoff-seasoned veterans are there to catch Miles throughout the new level of intensity the WNBA playoffs provide over the NCAA tournament.

“I mean, obviously, she has no idea what this feels like,” Reeve said. “You know, that's the thing that she's asking. And I think never too high, never too low is a really good space, and so we're going to be around her to do that.”

Miles said the season-long support from fans has her especially eager to see Minnesota’s loud and proud crowd filling the arena.

“I’m excited to just feel the energy in the crowd and what it's like at Target Center. It's always electric in there, but you know I can't imagine what it's going to be like,” she said.

Reeve said the team feels like they captured some momentum with a 20-point win over the Indiana Fever on Thursday to cap a 33-11 regular season.

“Like we kind of put an exclamation point on a really incredible regular season,” Reeve said. “I just told them you can't understate that. I mean, that's I mean, think about that for a second. The accomplishment of, of especially this season."

When and how to watch Lynx versus Liberty

The Lynx and Liberty tip off at 1 p.m. Sunday at Target Center.

The game can be watched on ABC. Streaming for the game is available on ESPN App, Fubo or YouTube TV.