In the first time a winner-take-all game in the WNBA Championship Series went to overtime, the New York Liberty overcame a horrible shooting performance from their biggest stars to win their first championship in franchise history.
The Liberty won Game 5 of the WNBA Finals over the Minnesota Lynx with a resilient 67-62 comeback in overtime to give New York its first major sports championship since 2012.
It was also the state’s first professional basketball title since the New York Nets won the ABA championship in 1976.
Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu finished the game 1 of 19 from the field and 1 of 10 from 3-point range, scoring five points.
Breanna Stewart was 4 of 15 from the field and didn’t make a 3-pointer in three attempts in her 13-point performance.
The New York Liberty won their first WNBA Championship after beating the Minnesota Lynx
Breanna Stewart (pictured) and Sabrina Ionescu led Liberty to its first championship
But she was elated after playing her part in a historic triumph.
“I’ve been manifesting this moment for a while, there’s no feeling like it,” Stewart said. ‘You have to give credit to Minnesota, they gave us a tough series. The fans have been amazing everywhere we’ve gone.
“Bringing a championship to New York, the first in franchise history, is an incredible feeling. I can’t wait to continue celebrating with the city. It’s going to be crazy.
The only WNBA founding franchise still in existence that has never lifted a crown in the league’s 28-year history has broken a drought that may have seemed like an eternity to some.
Napheesa Collier missed a layup with less than 10 seconds left, which could have all but clinched a fifth WNBA title for Minnesota. Stewart grabbed the rebound and called timeout with 6.3 seconds left.
The final 90 seconds of regulation were hotly contested with many twists and turns, starting with a rare double miss at the free throw line by Breanna Stewart.
A tap-back to Sabrina Ionescu finished off with a called jumper on the rebound. The Lynx purposely violated the jump rule to set up their defense and Ionescu missed another three-pointer.
Ionescu finished the important game hitting 1 of 19 on field goals and 1 of 10 on three-pointers.
Liberty won its first championship in franchise history after 28 years of waiting for the crown.
They have captured New York’s first major sports championship in the last 12 years.
Stewart missed a shot after the inbounds pass, but committed a hotly contested foul, and others pointed out that the referees also missed a trip.
‘I’m sorry, but that wasn’t a foul! Let the damn players dictate the outcome of a close and tested game,” LeBron James posted on X about the sequence.
The foul was challenged by Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve to no avail. Stewart made both free throws to tie the game at 60. Kayla McBride hit the championship-winning three-pointer to send the game to overtime.
New York outscored Minnesota in overtime 7-2 to secure New York’s first professional basketball championship since 1970.