Liberty Clinch First WNBA Championship in Thrilling Overtime Victory Against Lynx
WNBA Champions 2024 New York Liberty Limited Edition Black Shirt
In a nail-biting conclusion to an electrifying WNBA Finals series, the New York Liberty emerged victorious, securing their first-ever championship with a hard-fought 67-62 overtime win against the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5. The historic triumph at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Sunday marked the end of a 26-year quest for the coveted title, finally etching the Liberty’s name in the annals of WNBA glory.
The path to victory was far from smooth for the Liberty, who struggled offensively throughout much of the game. The team’s performance in the first half was particularly challenging, with their 10-point first quarter marking their lowest output in any opening frame this season. Star players Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart found themselves grappling with an uncharacteristic shooting slump, missing a combined 15 of their first 17 attempts.
Despite these early setbacks, the Liberty’s resilience shone through. Trailing by only seven points at halftime, the team regrouped and mounted a spirited comeback in the third quarter. The spark for this resurgence came from an unexpected source – reserve center Nyara Sabally. Playing a playoff career-high 17 minutes, Sabally’s nine-point explosion in the third quarter not only revitalized her team but also ignited the sellout crowd of 18,090 fans who packed the Barclays Center.
Head coach Sandy Brondello’s strategic decision to deploy an unconventional lineup featuring Sabally alongside Jonquel Jones and Stewart proved to be a game-changer. This ultra-big formation, which had never been used before, stifled the Lynx offensively, limiting them to just 10 points in the third quarter and propelling the Liberty to a three-point lead entering the final period.
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading crucial baskets. Ionescu’s first field goal of the game, a timely three-pointer with 3:10 remaining, gave the Liberty a four-point cushion. However, the resilient Lynx, led by star forward Napheesa Collier’s 22-point performance, refused to yield. Collier’s clutch basket with just over a minute left put Minnesota ahead by two, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
It was Stewart who rose to the occasion, sinking two pressure-packed free throws to force overtime – the first time in WNBA history that a Finals series featured two extra sessions. In the overtime period, the Liberty’s depth and determination prevailed. Leonie Fiebich’s crucial three-pointer on the first possession gave New York a lead they would not relinquish, as their suffocating defense held the Lynx to a mere two points in the extra frame.
Jonquel Jones emerged as the hero of the series, earning Finals MVP honors with her consistent dominance throughout the five games. In the decisive Game 5, Jones led all scorers with 17 points, while Stewart contributed a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Sabally’s unexpected but vital contribution of 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench proved to be a difference-maker in the tightly contested affair.
This championship represents the culmination of a carefully orchestrated plan set in motion when Joe and Clara Wu Tsai purchased the franchise in 2019. Their vision to revitalize one of the league’s original franchises included moving the team to the state-of-the-art Barclays Center and assembling a star-studded roster capable of competing for titles.
General Manager Jonathan Kolb’s aggressive offseason moves, which brought in All-Stars Stewart, Jones, and Courtney Vandersloot to complement the homegrown talent of Ionescu, transformed the Liberty into instant contenders. The addition of rookie wing Fiebich further bolstered the team’s depth, proving crucial in their postseason run.
The Liberty’s path to the championship was not without its challenges. After sweeping the Atlanta Dream in the first round, they faced a formidable Las Vegas Aces team in a rematch of the previous year’s finals. New York’s four-game triumph over the defending champions set the stage for their showdown with the Lynx, a team that had given them fits during the regular season.
The finals series against Minnesota was a roller-coaster of emotions, with three of the first four games decided by three points or fewer. Memorable moments, such as Ionescu’s game-winning three-pointer in Game 3, will be etched in the memories of Liberty fans for years to come.
Beyond its significance for the franchise, this championship carries broader implications for basketball in New York City. It marks the first major professional basketball title for the city since the mid-1970s, rekindling the passion for the sport in one of its spiritual homes.
As the final buzzer sounded and the reality of their achievement set in, the Liberty players and coaching staff erupted in joyous celebration. The scenes of elation on the court and in the stands were a testament to the long-awaited nature of this triumph and the deep connection between the team and its loyal fanbase.
In the aftermath of their historic win, Stewart reflected on the magnitude of the moment, saying, “To be able to bring the first championship to New York, the first one in Liberty history, is an incredible feeling. New York is a basketball city, and they’ve embraced me with open arms and continue to have my back.”
As the Liberty bask in the glow of their hard-earned championship, their victory serves as a powerful statement about the growth and competitiveness of the WNBA. The thrilling conclusion to this season sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting future for both the Liberty and the league as a whole, with new storylines and rivalries emerging in the wake of this historic achievement.
The New York Liberty are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The Liberty compete in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) as part of the league’s Eastern Conference. The team was founded in 1997 and is one of the eight original franchises of the league. The team is owned by Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai, the majority owners of the NBA‘s Brooklyn Nets. The team’s home games are played at Barclays Center.
The Liberty have qualified for the WNBA playoffs in nineteen of its twenty-eight years. The franchise has been home to many well-known players such as Teresa Weatherspoon, Rebecca Lobo, Becky Hammon, Leilani Mitchell, Essence Carson, Cappie Pondexter, Tina Charles, the team’s first-ever No.1 overall draft pick Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Courtney Vandersloot. The Liberty have three conference championships, and one WNBA championship. They have played in the WNBA Finals six times, defeating the Minnesota Lynx in 2024, and losing to the Houston Comets in 1997, 1999, and 2000, the Los Angeles Sparks in 2002 and the Las Vegas Aces in 2023. They had the most appearances in the WNBA Finals without a championship (five) and were the last remaining original franchise in the WNBA to win a championship.
The New York Liberty introduced their Mascot, Ellie the Elephant in 2021. (via. wikipedia )
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