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Liberty Sweep Lynx as No. 8 Upsets No. 1

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 3:06 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Liberty Stuns Lynx

New York Liberty eliminated No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx in a first-round sweep.
It was the first time a No. 8 seed beat a No. 1 seed in WNBA history.
Jonquel Jones posted 21 points and 13 rebounds in the 87-71 win on Sept. 29, 2026.
Breanna Stewart added 21 points in the victory.
Sabrina Ionescu scored 18 points and hit four three-pointers.

Summary

Nike Unveils Glow-Caitlin

Nike will launch the glow-in-the-dark Caitlin 1 on Friday, Oct. 23, priced at $150.
The Halloween-themed colorway mixes Black, Ghost Green, Mint Foam, Racer Blue, and mint-green glowing outsoles.
Nike released a Berry Fade Caitlin 1 with opposite purple-and-pink gradients, but no confirmed release date.
Fans can track drops via Nike’s House of Heat° app and the Sole Retriever app.

History

Historical Context

When the WNBA launched in 1997, the Houston Comets captured the inaugural championship, establishing professional women's basketball in the United States. That same year, Nike introduced Michael Jordan’s Air Jordan 1 at a retail price of $65, igniting a sneaker culture that reshaped sports marketing. In 2026, the New York Liberty’s 87-71 first-round sweep of the Minnesota Lynx, highlighted by Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu, parallels that breakthrough, while Nike’s glow-in-the-dark Caitlin 1 release channels the same hype. The combined legacy forecasts heightened investment in women’s leagues and anticipates future sneaker collaborations that will further monetize athletic achievement.

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Liberty Stuns Lynx

New York Liberty eliminated No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx in a first-round sweep.
It was the first time a No. 8 seed beat a No. 1 seed in WNBA history.
Jonquel Jones posted 21 points and 13 rebounds in the 87-71 win on Sept. 29, 2026.
Breanna Stewart added 21 points in the victory.
Sabrina Ionescu scored 18 points and hit four three-pointers.

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