The New York Liberty earned a 93-81 road win over the Minnesota Lynx on Friday at Target Center, led by Breanna Stewart’s game-high 24 points and 10 rebounds as New York used a 28-19 fourth quarter to turn a close game into a 12-point final.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Lynx 20, Liberty 19

Minnesota carried a one-point lead through the opening quarter, taking a 20-19 edge into the second. The Lynx established an early rhythm at home, but the Liberty stayed within one possession.

Second Quarter: Liberty 22, Lynx 17

New York made its move before halftime, outscoring Minnesota 22-17 in the second quarter. That five-point advantage flipped the game, sending the Liberty into the break ahead 41-37.

Third Quarter: Lynx 25, Liberty 24

The Lynx responded with their best offensive period of the night, winning the third 25-24. Minnesota narrowed the deficit by one point, but New York still held a 65-62 lead entering the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter: Liberty 28, Lynx 19

The Liberty took control late, producing a 28-point fourth quarter while holding Minnesota to 19. New York’s nine-point edge in the period created the separation that decided the 93-81 result.

Key Performers

Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty: Stewart led all scorers with 24 points and added 10 rebounds for a double-double. She also recorded three steals, providing production on both ends during New York’s road victory.

Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty: Ionescu paced the Liberty with six assists. New York finished with 17 assists as a team and made 13 of 29 attempts from three-point range.

Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx: Miles led Minnesota with 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists. She accounted for the Lynx’s team highs in each of those three categories.

NerdSports Stat: Both teams attempted exactly 74 field goals, but New York’s 13 made threes compared with Minnesota’s six created a 21-point advantage from beyond the arc—more than the Liberty’s 12-point margin of victory.

Game Analysis

New York’s perimeter efficiency was the clearest statistical difference. The Liberty shot 44.8% from three-point range and 45.9% overall, while Minnesota made 27.3% from deep and shot 39.2% from the field. The Liberty converted seven more three-pointers despite taking only seven more attempts from long range.

Minnesota had a slight 38-37 edge on the glass and recorded 22 assists to New York’s 17, but the Lynx could not overcome the shooting gap. The Lynx also made 17 free throws, five more than the Liberty, yet New York’s advantage from the field and decisive fourth quarter proved more important.

Closing Context

The Liberty improved to 25-16 with the win, while the Lynx moved to 31-10. New York next faces the Toronto Tempo on Sunday, September 20, while Minnesota returns to action Sunday against the Connecticut Sun. The supplied game data does not list conference placement or season-series results, but the Liberty’s road win adds a meaningful result late in the schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the New York Liberty vs Minnesota Lynx game on September 18, 2026?

New York Liberty defeated Minnesota Lynx 93-81 on September 18, 2026.

How many points did Breanna Stewart score?

Breanna Stewart scored 24 points; her individual shooting percentage was not included in the provided game stats.

What are New York Liberty’s standings after this game?

After the win, New York Liberty sits 25-16 in the league standings; the supplied data does not list a conference rank.

Who was the best player in the game?

Breanna Stewart was the standout performer with 24 points, 10 rebounds and three steals.