In the first time a winner-take-all game in the WNBA Championship series has gone 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 comeback 67-62 in overtime to earn 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-for-10 from 3-point range, scoring five points.
Breanna Stewart went 4-for-15 from the field and did not make a 3-pointer in three attempts in her 13-point performance.
The New York Liberty won its first WNBA Championship after beating the Minnesota Lynx
Breanna Stewart (pictured) and Sabrina Ionescu led the Liberty to their first championship
But she was left ecstatic after playing her part in a historic triumph.
‘I’ve been manifesting this moment for awhile, There’s no feeling like it,’ Stewart said. ‘Credit to Minnesota they gave us a tough series. The fans have been amazing everywhere we’ve gone.
‘To bring a championship to New York, first ever in franchise history it’s an incredible feeling. I can’t wait to continue to celebrate with the city. It’s going to be bonkers.’
The only WNBA founding franchise still in existence to have never lifted a crown in the league’s 28-year history has broken the drought that may have felt like an eternity to some.
Napheesa Collier missed a lay-up with under 10 seconds to go, which could have all but secured 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 highly contested with many twists and turns, starting with a rare double-miss at the free-throw line from Breanna Stewart.
A tap-back to Sabrina Ionescu rimmed out with a jump ball called on the rebound. The Lynx violated the jump-ball rule on purpose to set up its defense with Ionescu missing another 3-pointer.
Ionescu finished the all-important game 1-of-19 from the field and 1-for-10 from 3-point range
The Liberty won their first championship in franchise history after a 28-year wait 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 drew a highly contested foul, with other pointing out the referees missed a travel as well.
‘I’m sorry but that wasn’t a foul! Let the damn players dictate the outcome of a close battled tested game,’ LeBron James posted on X about the sequence.
The foul call was challenged by Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve unsuccessfully. Stewart made both free throws to tie the game at 60. Kayla McBride rimmed out the championship-winning 3-ponter to send the game to overtime.
New York outscored Minnesota in the overtime period 7-2 to secure New York’s first professional basketball championship since 1970.
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