The New York Liberty’s long journey finally ended in celebration, with a thrilling 67-62 overtime win against the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals. The victory marked the franchise’s first championship, capping off a dramatic series and putting an end to years of close calls for one of the league’s original teams.
Breanna Stewart, one of the team’s standout players, expressed her excitement after the win, reflecting on the dedication that led to this moment. “To bring a championship to New York, for the first time in the franchise’s history, is an incredible feeling,” she said. Stewart, alongside Jonquel Jones, played pivotal roles in delivering the Liberty’s victory.
Jonquel Jones, who led the team with 17 points in the final game, was named Finals MVP. Her consistent play throughout the series, especially in the paint, was crucial to the Liberty’s success. Jones’s leadership was on display during overtime when she helped the Liberty pull ahead, scoring key points as the clock wound down.
Despite struggles from stars like Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu during the game, other players stepped up when needed. Leonie Fiebich hit a crucial three-pointer in overtime, and Nyara Sabally’s steal led to a layup that extended the lead to five points, igniting the home crowd.
The Minnesota Lynx, who were chasing their fifth WNBA title, were led by Napheesa Collier, who scored 22 points before fouling out late in overtime. Kayla McBride added 21 points but couldn’t lead her team to victory in the extra period. The Lynx, known for their dominance from 2011 to 2017, pushed the series to the limit but ultimately fell short in their bid for another championship.
Minnesota had its chances to win, especially in regulation when McBride’s three-pointer with just seconds left could have clinched the game, but the shot missed, sending the contest to overtime. Throughout the series, the games were tightly contested, with every match coming down to the final possessions.
The Liberty’s journey to this championship has been long and filled with challenges. As one of the league’s original eight teams, they reached the WNBA Finals multiple times in the early years but always came up short. Their Finals appearances in 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2002 were all losses, and last year, they fell again to the Las Vegas Aces.
This year’s Finals were a fitting conclusion to what has been a standout season for the WNBA. With increased attendance and record-breaking television ratings, the league has seen growing interest. The first three games of the series drew over a million viewers each, showcasing the growing popularity of women’s basketball.
For the Liberty, the win not only brought the franchise its first title but also solidified its place in New York sports history. Players, fans, and even celebrities like Spike Lee, who was courtside during the game, shared in the celebration as confetti fell from the rafters at Barclays Center.
This victory marked the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance for the Liberty, their players, and their fans. After so many near misses, the team has finally reached the top, and New York can now call itself home to a WNBA champion.
Image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license and was created by John Mac.