The New York Liberty made history Sunday, claiming their first-ever WNBA championship in a 67-62 overtime victory against the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the Finals. The win marks the end of a 28-year wait for the Liberty, who had previously lost five Finals appearances. The victory was celebrated at Barclays Center in front of an ecstatic crowd.
A Thrilling Comeback for the NY Liberty
The Lynx started strong, building a nine-point lead in the first quarter and holding a seven-point advantage at halftime. But the Liberty clawed their way back in the third quarter, outscoring the Lynx 20-10 to set the stage for a dramatic finish.
With five seconds left in regulation, Breanna Stewart calmly sank two free throws to tie the game. After a defensive stop, the Liberty pushed the game to overtime, where they outscored the Lynx 7-2 to secure the win. Stewart acknowledged the tense situation, saying, “We were trying to do whatever we could. We needed a spark, and it was there.”
The game wasn’t without controversy. Stewart’s late free throws came after a blocking foul on Minnesota’s Alanna Smith, a call that the Lynx challenged. The decision stood after review, leading to protests from Minnesota’s head coach, Cheryl Reeve, who remarked, “The game—and the championship—was stolen from us.”
Jonquel Jones, who finished with 17 points and six rebounds, was named Finals MVP. Jones was critical in keeping the Liberty afloat, especially when stars Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu struggled. Reflecting on her award, Jones said, “None of this happens without my teammates and the people who have poured into me.”
Nyara Sabally also played a key role, scoring 13 points and delivering a crucial block in overtime to stop Lynx star Napheesa Collier. Sabally expressed her excitement after the game: “This is what I’ve worked for my entire career.”
With the victory, the Liberty have finally brought a WNBA championship to New York. Fans now look forward to celebrating with the team at an upcoming victory parade.