An unforgettable year of women's basketball ended in exciting fashion Sunday night, when the New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in overtime of Game 5 to win the WNBA Finals.
This is the Liberty's first championship, an elusive one for a franchise that has been to the WNBA Finals five times since 1997, including last year when they lost to the Las Vegas Aces.
But Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and the rest of Brooklyn's stars would not be denied this time, even though the Lynx were seeking their fifth ring for the organization. And they were doing everything they could to make sure Liberty spent another year looking for that Finals victory.
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Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) faces off against New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones (35) during the third quarter of Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals series, Sunday, Oct. 20. October 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
It was only fitting that the final game of this title series came down to another close battle, this time requiring extra time on the clock after four quarters to determine who lifted the trophy.
The reason the Liberty and Lynx had to get here was because Minnesota star Napheesa Collier scored two layups to take a 60-58 lead with a minute left on the clock in the fourth quarter.
New York had its own superstar in Stewart, at the free throw line with 38 seconds left with a chance to tie the game, but she couldn't make both of her free throws and, despite an offensive rebound, Sabrina Ionescu couldn't. able to hit a step-back three-pointer in an attempt to take the lead.
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But Liberty stopped Collier on the next trip down the court, when Stewart grabbed the defensive rebound, giving New York a chance to tie the game or take the lead.
Stewart was the one with the ball on the other end, and as she attempted her layup, the referees called a shooting foul on Alanna Smith, but the Lynx were furious with the decision. It was questioned, but the call was upheld, allowing Stewart two more free throws with five seconds left to tie the game.
This time, Stewart was the winner, making both of her shots to make the score 60-60. The Lynx had a chance to end the game with the final shot, and Kayla McBride had a clean look from 25 feet away, but her 3-pointer fell short and hit the front of the rim before Liberty got the rebound to close it out. outside the regulatory time.
While Ionescu and Stewart's prowess on the offensive end carried the Liberty to this point in the season, both really struggled to shoot in this game. But it was Leonie Fiebich who scored the Liberty's first overtime, hitting a three-pointer to take the lead 63-60.
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) argues with an official after being called for traveling in the second quarter against the New York Liberty during game five of the 2024 NBA Finals at Barclays Center. (Images by Wendell Cruz-Imagn)
Both teams went up and down the court without seeing the ball go through the hoop, as crafty Lynx guard Courtney Williams couldn't get her shots right, while Ionescu continued to struggle.
But Nyara Sabally was able to intercept McBride's pass and put the Liberty up five with an easy transition layup.
With 1:51 left on the overtime clock, McBride was finally able to get the Lynx on the board with two free throws to make it a three-point game. But the Lynx couldn't make a single shot from the field and that ultimately cost them the title.
Stewart made two free throws with 10 seconds left, putting Liberty up by five and up for good as the Barclays Center erupted. Fiebich made them even more crazy when he intercepted the Lynx pass to seal the victory.
Ionescu shot a brutal 1-of-19 from the floor, including 1-of-10 from three-point territory, and Stewart was 4-of-15 with five free throws for a total of 13 points. Jonquel Jones, however, was very efficient with 17 points on 5 of 10 from the field and a perfect 7 of 7 from the charity stripe. Sabally also contributed 13 points off the bench.
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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) reacts after scoring against the Minnesota Lynx during the third quarter of Game 5 of the WNBA basketball finals series, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in New York . (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
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For the Lynx, Collier and McBride did their best to take home the trophy with 22 and 21 points respectively. But in the end it was not enough, as Liberty was filled with emotions and celebrations on their home field.
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