NEW YORK — The New York Liberty managed to avoid losing consecutive games for the first time in 141 days since May.

Breanna Stewart played a crucial role in this achievement.

With 21 points from Stewart and 20 from Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, the Liberty triumphed over the Minnesota Lynx with a score of 80-66 on Sunday in Barclays Center, leveling the WNBA Finals series at 1-1. The next two games will take place in Minneapolis, and if needed, a Game 5 will return to Brooklyn.

Sabrina Ionescu got off to a fast start for the Liberty, scoring 12 points in the first quarter, including eight in the first 3 minutes and 30 seconds, helping New York lead 31-21 at the end of the quarter. She completed the game with 14 points.

New York kept a 10-point lead heading into halftime. Following Minnesota’s remarkable 18-point comeback in Game 1, the Liberty focused on maintaining their momentum throughout the game, especially when the Lynx narrowed the lead to two points at 66-64 with under six minutes remaining.

Stewart made sure to regain control with two consecutive steals on the next possessions, the second leading to an offensive rebound and a putback, staving off the Lynx’s advances.

Courtney Williams from Minnesota answered with a layup, reducing the gap once again, but Laney-Hamilton quickly countered with a three-pointer to restore a two-possession game. Just three plays later, Ionescu disrupted a pass, allowing Liberty rookie Leonie Fiebich to regain the ball and sink a three-pointer, extending the lead to 75-66 with just over a minute left.

Stewart, a first-team WNBA All-Defensive player, had a standout performance with a career-best seven steals and also pulled down eight rebounds. As a team, the Liberty recorded 13 steals and forced the Lynx into 20 turnovers, converting those into 26 points.

Napheesa Collier was the top scorer for Minnesota with 16 points, while Williams added 15. New York also dominated the boards, out-rebounding Minnesota 34-27.