Liberty Coach Issues Strong Dare After Team’s First WNBA Title
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The New York Liberty finally ended decades of futility after beating the Minnesota Lynx in a do-or-die Game 5 in the WNBA Finals to capture their first-ever title.
It felt like the seemingly perpetual drought would continue, but the Liberty mustered enough strength and fortitude in overtime to escape the Lynx, 67-62.
The Sandy Brondello-coached squad also had to survive the harrowing shooting night of star duo Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart, who finished a combined 5-of-26 from the field. Ionescu missed 18 of her 19 attempts.
Jonquel Jones, who was named Finals MVP, picked up the slack, scoring 17 points. Leonie Fiebich chipped in 13 markers.
The watershed championship was the perfect punctuation to the Liberty’s campaign. They led the league for most of the season and earned the top seed in the playoffs.
They also avenged their bitter loss to the Las Vegas Aces in last year’s finals.
“It’s hard to win because this league is so good,” said Brondello in a report from the Associated Press. “You need a little bit of luck on your side, but you also need talent.”
New York Liberty coach Sandy Brondello talks to the media after a game.
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The 59-year-old coach, who was signed by the Liberty in 2022, also issued a strong message after steering the team to its maiden crown.
“I think it’s been fun,” added Brondello. “Hey, let’s not stop at one, though. Let’s go for two.”
The Liberty will look to join the Aces, the Los Angeles Sparks, and the Houston Comets as the only teams in WNBA history to win back-to-back titles.
A former Coach of the Year, Brondello now has two rings after winning with the Phoenix Mercury in 2014 in her first season with the squad.
