The New York Liberty clinched their first championship in franchise history with a dramatic 67-62 overtime victory against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday. This win marks a significant milestone for the team, which had previously struggled to secure a title despite competing in the inaugural WNBA championship 27 years ago.
Breanna Stewart played a crucial role in the win, sealing it with two free throws with just over ten seconds remaining in overtime. A critical steal by Leonie Fiebich allowed the Liberty to run down the clock, securing their hard-fought victory in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals.
The Liberty triumphed in a tightly contested series, finishing with a 3-2 record marked by pivotal moments and momentum shifts. They had a tough time in Game 4, which ended with a last-second victory for the Lynx, but the Liberty fought back from a seven-point halftime deficit in Game 5 to take control before the overtime.
With the game tied at 60-60 after Stewart was fouled and converted both free throws, the Liberty entered overtime following a miss from Minnesota’s Kayla McBride. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve voiced her frustrations about officiating in the series, suggesting her team was wronged.
In overtime, the Liberty’s key contributions came from Fiebich and Nyara Sabally, who both scored 13 points, alongside Stewart. Despite shooting only 30.6% from the field, the Liberty secured the win, with forward Jonquel Jones named Finals MVP after scoring 17 points in the decisive game.
The championship is particularly meaningful for Stewart, a native New Yorker who had reached the pinnacle of success with previous teams but dreamed of winning a title with the Liberty. Following the game, she expressed excitement about bringing the first championship to New York, calling it an incredible feeling.
The Liberty’s victory also marked the first major professional basketball championship for New York since the Knicks won the NBA title in 1973. With this win, the Liberty adds a significant trophy to their history, having faced disappointment in five previous Finals appearances.
After a challenging two years, where the team struggled to find consistency, the addition of stars like Stewart, Jones, and Vandersloot turned the franchise into a formidable contender, culminating in this championship season. The Liberty will celebrate their title with a ticker-tape parade scheduled for Monday, solidifying their legacy within the sport.