The New York Liberty pose for a photograph with the championship trophy after defeating the Minnesota Lynx in Recreation 5 of the WNBA basketball closing collection, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in New York. (AP Photograph/Pamela Smith)
NEW YORK — As confetti fell and Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” blared by means of the sector, the New York Liberty celebrated the top of a 27-year odyssey.
The crew that at all times fell quick, ranging from their days in Madison Sq. Backyard, by means of detours to Radio Metropolis Music Corridor and Westchester County Heart, lastly discovered their approach to the highest.
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Begin spreading the information, certainly: There’s lastly a professional basketball champion in New York once more after a 67-62 extra time win over Minnesota in Recreation 5 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday evening.
READ: Ionescu’s 3-pointer is newest iconic shot in WNBA Finals historical past
The ultimate play of Recreation 5 🚨 @nyliberty are your 2024 WNBA CHAMPS! pic.twitter.com/sGTMBVNKkQ
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 21, 2024
“I’ve been manifesting this second for awhile, There’s no feeling prefer it,” Breanna Stewart stated. “Credit score to Minnesota they gave us a troublesome collection. The followers have been wonderful in all places we’ve gone. To convey a championship to New York, first ever in franchise historical past it’s an unbelievable feeling. I can’t wait to proceed to have a good time with town. It’s going to be bonkers.”
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Jonquel Jones scored 17 factors to guide New York, which was one of many authentic franchises within the league. The Liberty made the WNBA Finals 5 instances earlier than, dropping each, together with final season. This time they wouldn’t be denied, though it took an additional 5 minutes.
With stars Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu struggling on offense, different gamers stepped up. Leonie Fiebich began off OT with a 3-pointer, after which Nyara Sabally had a steal for a layup to make it 65-60 and convey the sellout crowd to a frenzied state.
“Whoever scores in extra time first normally wins,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello stated.
Minnesota didn’t rating in OT till Kayla McBride hit two free throws with 1:51 left. The Lynx missed all six of their area aim makes an attempt in extra time. After Ionescu missed a shot with 21 seconds left, her 18th miss on 19 shot makes an attempt, the Lynx had one final likelihood, however Bridget Carleton missed a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left.
Stewart, who missed a free throw with 0.8 seconds left ultimately of regulation in Recreation 1, hit two free throws with 10.1 seconds left in extra time to seal the victory.
As the ultimate seconds ticked off the clock the gamers hugged and streamers fell from the rafters. Stewart and Jones hugged. The 2 prize free agent signees two years in the past that helped get this crew its first title.
READ: Sabrina Ionescu late 3 give Liberty 2-1 WNBA Finals lead vs Lynx
New York trailed by two in regulation when Stewart was fouled with 5.2 seconds left. After a prolonged video evaluation, Stewart calmly hit two free throws to tie the sport at 60.
Kayla McBride, who completed with 21 factors, had an open search for a 3, nevertheless it fell off the rim and the sport went to OT.
Most of the former Liberty greats have been within the viewers, together with Teresa Weatherspoon, who hit a half-court heave within the 1999 WNBA Finals to power a decisive Recreation 3 that yr. That was the final time that New York had an opportunity to play in a championship-deciding sport till this yr.
Jones, who was the one participant on the Liberty to compete in a Recreation 5 earlier than when she was with Connecticut in 2019, earned MVP honors.
“I may by no means dream of this. You understand how many instances I’ve been denied. It was delayed. I’m so glad to do it right here,” she stated.
Napheesa Collier scored 22 factors to guide Minnesota earlier than fouling out with 13 seconds left in OT.
The Lynx have been attempting for a document fifth WNBA title, breaking a tie with the Seattle Storm and Houston Comets. Minnesota gained 4 titles from 2011-17 behind the core group of Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Sylvia Fowles and Maya Moore. That was the crew’s final look within the WNBA Finals till this yr.
READ: WNBA: New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx meet for championship
“Congratulations to the Liberty on their first championship,” Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve stated. “It took them 28 years, congrats to them. We have been that near our fifth, it simply didn’t occur.”
That is the primary time since 2019 that the WNBA Finals have gone the gap. For the reason that league switched to a best-of-five format in 2005, seven different collection have gone to a Recreation 5 and the house crew had gained 5 of these earlier contests, together with in 2019.
This collection has been a becoming conclusion to a record-breaking season for the league. All 5 video games got here right down to the previous few possessions and have included two extra time video games and a last-second shot, which have led to document scores.
The primary three video games every had over one million viewers on common, with the viewers rising for every contest. Additionally they have had large crowds in attendance.
Liberty fan Spike Lee was courtside over an hour earlier than tipoff chatting with the media whereas carrying his Ionescu jersey. As soon as Ionescu completed warming up pregame, the pair had a quick alternate and hugged. Lee was a part of a sellout crowd of 18,090 that helped this collection set each the general attendance document for a WNBA Finals in addition to the typical attendance mark.