The New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx 87-71 on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, with Jonquel Jones leading the way on 21 points and 13 rebounds as New York completed a 2-0 first-round playoff series win at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Liberty 26, Lynx 21
New York established an early advantage by outscoring Minnesota 26-21 in the opening period. The Liberty took a five-point lead into the second quarter and did not trail after the opening frame.
Second Quarter: Liberty 23, Lynx 16
The Liberty widened the margin before halftime, posting a 23-16 edge in the second quarter. New York carried a 49-37 lead into the break after holding Minnesota to 16 points in the period.
Third Quarter: Liberty 19, Lynx 19
Minnesota matched New York point for point in the third quarter, but the 19-19 period preserved the Liberty’s 12-point halftime cushion. The Lynx entered the final quarter facing a 68-56 deficit.
Fourth Quarter: Liberty 19, Lynx 15
New York closed the game with another 19-point quarter while limiting Minnesota to 15. The Liberty outscored the Lynx in three of four quarters and finished with a 16-point victory.
Key Performers
Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty: Jones delivered a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double to lead all scorers and control the glass for New York.
Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty: Ionescu paced the Liberty with seven assists, helping New York produce 19 assists on 32 made field goals.
Courtney Williams, Minnesota Lynx: Williams led Minnesota with 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists in an all-around effort.
NerdSports Stat: Both teams recorded 19 assists, but New York made six more field goals than Minnesota and turned that identical assist total into a 16-point win.
Game Analysis
The Liberty’s efficiency and rebounding advantage defined the result. New York shot 46.4% from the field, compared with Minnesota’s 38.2%, and finished with a 36-29 edge on the boards. The Liberty also made all 13 of their free-throw attempts, while the Lynx went 11-for-14 at the line.
New York made 32 field goals, including 10 three-pointers, while Minnesota connected on 26 shots. Although the Lynx shot 40.0% from beyond the arc and the Liberty made 31.3% of their threes, New York generated more overall offense through its advantage inside the arc and its perfect work at the foul line.
Series and Standings Context
The victory completed a 2-0 first-round series sweep for the Liberty. New York, which finished the regular season 26-18, advances after taking both games from a Minnesota team that entered the postseason with a 33-11 overall record. The teams are listed to meet again on Thursday, October 1, though the series summary identifies New York as the completed series winner.
Frequently Asked Questions
New York Liberty defeated Minnesota Lynx 87-71 on September 29, 2026.
Jonquel Jones scored 21 points; her individual shooting percentage was not provided in the supplied game stats.
After the win, New York Liberty sits 26-18 in the Eastern Conference.
Jonquel Jones was the standout performer with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
