The New York Liberty clinched their first WNBA championship after defeating the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime in Game 5. Jonquel Jones led the Liberty with 17 points, and other players like Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally stepped up when stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu struggled on offense. The victory marked New York’s first basketball title since 1973 when the Knicks won the NBA championship.
The sellout crowd witnessed a thrilling game that saw Minnesota struggle in overtime, missing all six field goal attempts while New York sealed the win with key plays. Stewart, who missed key free throws in Game 1, redeemed herself by hitting two free throws in overtime to secure the victory.
Former Liberty greats, including Teresa Weatherspoon, were in attendance to witness the team’s historic win. Jones, who was named MVP, expressed her joy at finally achieving the championship. The Lynx, led by Napheesa Collier with 22 points, were vying for their fifth WNBA title, but fell short in a close series that went the distance.
The series, which has been a fitting conclusion to a record-breaking WNBA season, attracted record ratings and huge crowds in attendance. The games were closely contested, with all five coming down to the wire, including two overtime games and a last-second shot. The Liberty’s victory marks a significant moment in the team’s history and the overall growth of the WNBA.
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