The New York Liberty finally claimed their first WNBA championship title with a thrilling 67-62 overtime victory against the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the Finals on Sunday night. The win marks the end of a 27-year journey for the Liberty, who had previously reached the Finals five times without securing a title.
The game was a nail-biter from start to finish, with both teams showcasing incredible determination and skill. Jonquel Jones led the Liberty with 17 points, earning her the Finals MVP title.
“I could never dream of this,” Jones said. “It’s the biggest moment, and it was all about us winning together because we really love each other.”
Breanna Stewart played a crucial role in the victory, converting two free throws to tie the game with just 5.2 seconds left in regulation time. Leonie Fiebich’s three-pointer in overtime gave the Liberty the lead, and Nyara Sabally’s steal and layup extended it to 65-60. Stewart sealed the win with two more free throws with 10 seconds left in overtime.
The sellout crowd at the Barclays Center erupted in celebration as the final buzzer sounded, marking the first basketball championship for New York since the Knicks won the NBA title in 1973.
“This is something special right here, and I’m trying not to cry,” Stewart said, holding back tears of joy.
The Liberty’s victory is a testament to their resilience and teamwork, and it brings a long-awaited championship to the city of New York. With stars like Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu stepping up when it mattered most, the Liberty showed that they have what it takes to be champions.
As confetti fell and Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” blared through the arena, the Liberty celebrated their hard-earned victory. The New York Liberty’s first WNBA title is a historic moment for the franchise and for women’s basketball, proving that perseverance and teamwork can lead to greatness.
