The New York Liberty brought home their first WNBA Championship win Sunday, defeating the Minnesota Lynx in overtime.
The team entered the finals as one of the only original franchises in the league without a championship under their belt. The Liberty lost the finals five times, including last season to the Las Vegas Aces. This year, the five extra minutes of overtime allowed them to pull out the win.
“I’ve been manifesting this moment for awhile, There’s no feeling like it,” Liberty’s forward Breanna Stewart said. “Credit to Minnesota they gave us a tough series. The fans have been amazing everywhere we’ve gone. To bring a championship to New York, first ever in franchise history it’s an incredible feeling. I can’t wait to continue to celebrate with the city. It’s going to be bonkers.”
Game 5 was a nail-biter. Lynx held a nine-point lead following the first quarter. Liberty’s power forward Jonquel Jones proved herself to be the team’s MVP, scoring 17 points to lead New York. By the end of the third quarter, Liberty was holding their own with a ten-point lead. The fourth quarter turned into a back-and-forth. In the final few seconds, Liberty was down 60-58. Liberty’s Stewart was fouled by Lynx’s Alanna Smith, opening the door for Stewart to hit two free throws, tie the game 60-60, and go into OT.
Liberty’s forward Leonie Fiebich started off strong in overtime with a three-pointer. Center Nyara Sabally stole a layup, bring the game to 65-60.
“She has that X factor,” Liberty’s head coach Sandy Brondello said of Sabally. “Her ability to make one-on-one plays, to rebound the ball, to play great defense. … I know she’s had a lot of adversity over her career, but the biggest game of her career, and she really rose to the occasion.”
Stewart ended the game with another pair of free throws in the last ten seconds of OT, pushing the score to 67-62.
“I could never dream of this. You know how many times I’ve been denied. It was delayed. I am so happy to do it here,” Jonquel Jones said about the team’s win and her personal MVP win.
New York is buzzing with their newfound WNBA championship team. Mayor Adams announced the city would honor Liberty with a ticker-tape parade, and is expected to release details Monday.
Five buildings are set to be lit up in seafoam green on Monday night including, New York City Hall, Brooklyn Borough Hall, The David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building, Queens Borough Hall, and Staten Island Borough Hall.
