Mission accomplished! The New York Liberty have finally achieved what they've been chasing for 28 long seasons: their first WNBA championship. After years of near-misses, heartbreak, and close calls, the Liberty triumphed in a dramatic, history-making finale, defeating the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime of Game 5. This was no ordinary win—it was the first winner-take-all game in WNBA Finals history to go into overtime. New York had to dig deep, push past challenges, and showcase resilience in the face of adversity to finally add "WNBA champion" to their storied franchise legacy.
A Game for the Ages: Overcoming the Odds
This wasn’t a smooth ride to victory. In fact, it was far from easy. At one point, New York was trailing by as much as 12 points, and to make matters worse, their offense seemed to have gone cold—they didn’t even hit a 3-pointer until late in regulation. The stars of the team, Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart, struggled mightily with their shooting. Ionescu shot a rough 1-for-19, failing to score until the third quarter, while Stewart went 4-for-15 from the field. It seemed like everything was stacked against them.
But as we all know, champions are made of something special. Despite their shooting woes, the Liberty refused to give up. Their grit, determination, and ability to come together as a team were on full display. So how did New York manage to pull off such a monumental victory? Let’s take a look at the key elements and standout performances that pushed the Liberty over the top.
Unsung Hero: Nyara Sabally
When you think about the stars of the Liberty, names like Ionescu and Stewart come to mind. But in this game, it was Nyara Sabally who stepped up in a big way and became the team’s unsung hero. Sabally, a 6-foot-5 reserve center, was averaging just 3.4 points heading into Sunday’s game. However, when her team needed her most, she delivered. Sabally scored 13 points in just 17 minutes, her playoff-high, bringing an energy and fearlessness that had been missing.
Her contributions were nothing short of pivotal. With the Liberty trailing by seven points at halftime, Sabally helped swing the momentum in New York's favor during the third quarter. She scored the game-tying basket and followed it up with a go-ahead layup, giving New York its first lead of the night. Nine of her 13 points came in that crucial third quarter, and she also grabbed a key defensive rebound that iced the game in overtime with just 13 seconds left. Sabally’s performance proved that sometimes, it's the unheralded players who make all the difference.
Struggling Stars Still Shine in Other Ways
While Sabally emerged as the hero of the night, it’s impossible to overlook the impact of Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, even if their shooting numbers weren’t impressive. If the Liberty had lost this game, the conversation would likely have centered around their combined 5-for-34 shooting, and how it nearly cost New York the title. Ionescu, in particular, made WNBA history by missing 13 consecutive shots, the most in any winner-take-all game.
Yet, the beauty of team sports is that contribution comes in many forms. Ionescu may have struggled offensively, but her eight assists were critical to the Liberty’s success. She dished out four assists during the pivotal third quarter alone, three of which came from her connection with Sabally on the pick-and-roll—showcasing the chemistry that dates back to their time playing together at Oregon. Meanwhile, Stewart, despite her shooting struggles, redeemed herself in other key moments. After missing crucial free throws late in the fourth quarter, she came through when it counted most, sinking two clutch free throws with just five seconds left in regulation to tie the game and send it to overtime.
The MVP Performance: Jonquel Jones
Of course, the Liberty’s championship wouldn’t have been possible without the contributions of WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones. When the Liberty needed someone to step up and carry the team, Jones answered the call. Her 17 points on Sunday led the team, following her 21-point performance in Game 4. Over the course of the five-game series, Jones averaged 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds, consistently providing the offensive firepower New York needed.
What’s even more impressive is how efficient Jones was throughout the series. In the final two games alone, she only needed 20 total field goal attempts to score 38 points. As a former WNBA regular-season MVP in 2021, Jones proved once again why she’s one of the league’s most dominant players, delivering key baskets down low whenever the Liberty needed a score. Her ability to come through in crunch time was a game-changer for New York.
Defense Wins Championships
While much of the talk during the game focused on Minnesota's suffocating defense—especially how they locked up Stewart and Ionescu—the Liberty’s defense deserves just as much credit for securing the championship. The Lynx held New York to a season-low 28.5% shooting from the field in the first half, and the Liberty managed only 27 points through two quarters. But as the saying goes, “defense wins championships,” and it was New York's ability to shut down Minnesota in the clutch that sealed the victory.
Minnesota, one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league, was held to just 3-for-19 from beyond the arc. The Liberty's defense, led by the efforts of Jones and Stewart, forced 16 turnovers, five of which came in overtime alone. Stewart’s defensive contributions were particularly notable—she grabbed 15 rebounds, 12 of which were defensive, and blocked three shots. Her length and presence in the paint made it difficult for the Lynx to find easy baskets, especially in the closing minutes.
A Championship 28 Years in the Making
This win was about more than just one game—it was about the culmination of years of effort, heartbreak, and perseverance. The Liberty have come close to winning the championship five times before, only to fall short each time. But this season, everything clicked. From the leadership of head coach Sandy Brondello to the MVP-level play of Jonquel Jones, the clutch contributions of Sabally, and the grit of Stewart and Ionescu, New York finally put all the pieces together.
For Liberty fans, this championship is a long-overdue celebration. It’s a testament to the team’s resilience and determination, and it marks the beginning of what could be a new era of dominance in the WNBA. The 2024 New York Liberty will forever be remembered as the team that brought home the franchise’s first title—and the story of how they did it will inspire future generations of basketball players and fans alike.
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