Back in action. When we last saw the New York Liberty, they were cruising to a much needed 85-66 win over the Chicago Sky prior to the FIBA break on August 29.
The opponent tonight is atop the WNBA standings, but has room to get better. The Minnesota Lynx entered the FIBA break on a two game losing streak after an 89-81 loss to the Atlanta Dream on August 30.
Game info and broadcast details
- Matchup: New York Liberty (24-16) at Minnesota Lynx (31-9)
- Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
- Tip-off time: 7:30 PM EST (6:30 PM CT)
- Venue: Target Center (Minneapolis, MN)
- TV/Streaming: ION
Liberty vs. Lynx injury report: Who’s out?
Liberty injury status:
- Not with team – Satou Sabally (head)
Lynx injury status:
- Out – Anastasiia Olairi Kosu (right foot)
Liberty vs. Lynx: Head to head
New York won the first matchup 99-86 on July 3 while the Lynx won the second matchup 90-85 on July 11. This is the last regular season matchup between these two rivals.
In the event these two teams meet up in the playoffs, our pal Myles Ehrlich broke it down on The Missing Lynx podcast!
With the postseason a week away, things will be moving incredibly quickly down the stretch
“Four games is going to go by really quick, and we have to keep building and chipping away to be the team that we want to be come playoff time,” Sabrina Ionescu said. “And so for us, it’s just kind of like winning the road trip and being the best we can, and then obviously protecting home court when we get back, and then a new season starts in a week and a half or whenever that is.”
This the type of thing I like
Kayla McBride has been exceptional this season and gives them the three point shooting and defense they need to go far in the playoffs.
For the Liberty, the big task will be slowing down Olivia Miles. Miles has been a sensation and the runaway favorite to win Rookie of the Year. She’s been sensational and gives the Lynx a new dimension on offense that makes them even more difficult to handle. The Liberty will assign various players on Miles to slow her down, and we’ll see how much Leonie Fiebich and Pauline Astier play. Both made it to the medal rounds in the World Cup and were integral parts of their respective teams. The Liberty want to win, but they also have to make sure they get their FIBA players as much rest as possible.
Player to watch: Napheesa Collier
It’s always fascinating watching someone come back from severe injuries. Collier’s dream 2025 ended with a nightmarish ankle injury against the Phoenix Mercury that ended her season and kept her off the court for nine months.
She’s been back since July and has helped the Lynx stay on top of the standings. Collier played for Team USA, and a lot of people expected her to skip this cycle in order to get some extra rest. However, she had other ideas.
“I wouldn’t want to take three weeks off when I’m just getting my conditioning back. I’m using it as a part of this process,” Collier told ESPN. “One of my big goals was to make this [USA Basketball] team. I didn’t want this to be a break. I need it to make sure I’m good enough for the playoffs.”
Her per game numbers look good and her true shooting percentage is still above average, but if you dig in a little bit, you see room for improvement. Collier’s turnover percentage is at its highest mark since 2021. Along with that, her field goal percentage on shots inside of three feet is at just 60 percent, the lowest of her career. During the World Cup, Collier had her struggles at the rim and when the games get tightest, she’ll need to cash in those opportunities more frequently. Championships are won on the margins, and Collier will have to get into peak form soon in order to get the Lynx their first WNBA championship in nine years.
How can the Liberty pull off the win?
Breanna Stewart is one of the most decorated, successful basketball players of all time. She’s won everywhere she’s been and has been dominant everywhere she’s been. Jack Maloney of CBS Sports gave us a tidy breakdown of how exceptional she’s been when donning Team USA colors
“Stewart, who made her Team USA debut at the 2014 World Cup when she was still at UConn, has never lost a game in the red, white and blue. She’s now 20-0 at the Olympics and 26-0 at the World Cup, with three Olympic golds and four World Cup golds. Her four World Cup golds are tied with Sue Bird for the most ever by an American — men or women.“
Stewart is back in seafoam and her task will be getting the group ready for what they hope is a deep playoff run. She’ll look to find those paint opportunities against this Lynx defense and make them respect her enough from the perimeter to come out and contest her three point attempts. The playoffs are a week away, and the Liberty hope to simultaneously get the best matchup possible while getting into a good groove before the stakes become a lot higher.
From the Vault
Ones in the air for Barry Melrose
And ones in the air for Michael Sweetney
More reading: Canis Hoopus, Zone Coverage, Swish Appeal, Breakaway, SB Nation, Women’s Basketball Roundup, The Local W, New York Daily News, No Cap Space, New York Post, Newsday, The Athletic, NY Liberty Fan TV, Fansided, Just Women’s Sports, Winsidr, The Stomp, The Post Presence, Her Hoop Stats, Yahoo Sports, ESPN, CBS Sports, and The IX Basketball.
- New York Liberty Game Notes – New York Liberty
- Minnesota Lynx Game Notes – Minnesota Lynx
- Anneli Maley basks in new Liberty deal after being cut from WNBA seven times: ‘I’ve been promoted’ – Madeline Kenney – New York Post
