New York Liberty Capture First WNBA Championship in Epic Fashion

One of the league’s flagship franchises finally broke through to win its first title, capping a landmark season, writes Chelsea Leite.

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What an epic way to end an epic season.

The WNBA’s blockbuster season came to an end as the New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals. After breaking viewership records all season long and seeing huge growth in the sport, the postseason delivered some of the best atmospheres and best basketball in league history.

A series for the ages, this Finals matchup was the perfect ending to an unforgettable season. After Minnesota won Game 1, New York stormed back to take Games 2 and 3, leading Minnesota to the brink of elimination in Game 4. The Lynx were able to hold on and win that game, sending the series back to Brooklyn for a winner-take-all 5. It had been a grueling series where New York forward Breanna Stewart and Minnesota forward Napheesa Collier — founders of the Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball league launching this winter — carried their teams at times.

Game 5 turned out to be a show — during regulation, in overtime, and afterward.

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu and team owner Clara Wu Tsai hoist the WNBA championship trophy after defeating the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on Sunday night.

Sarah Stier / Getty Images

After a slow start, New York surged in the second half and imposed its will in overtime. Jonquel Jones scored a team-high 17 points and was named Finals MVP as the Liberty beat Minnesota, 67-62, to capture the franchise’s first championship.

“I’ve been manifesting this for a while. … I’m so excited to continue celebrating with this city,” Stewart said.

Despite being one of the founding teams when the WNBA launched in 1997, the Liberty had not managed to win a championship … until now. It took six WNBA Finals appearances and a stacked team including Stewart, Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, Nyara Sabally, Leonie Fiebich, Betnijah Laney-Hamtilon and Courtney Vandersloot to get it done.

“Stewie was the one I watched in college and wanted to be like, wanted to play against. Now to be teammates with her … it means a lot,” Jones said.

It was not easy though, and the Lynx fought to the end. They made the Liberty work for their first championship. Playing in a hostile Barclays Center, the Lynx opened with a punch and lost by the narrowest of margins.

Jonquel Jones of the New York Liberty shoots a free throw during Game 5 of the WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday at Barclays Center.

David Sherman / NBAE via Getty Images

Ultimately, the Liberty were able to hold on — and the emotion came out as the final buzzer went sounded. The first two players to embrace were Stewart and Jones at center court, tears flowing as Jones finally secured her first career championship. Stewart had won two titles with the Seattle Storm, but this is her first in her home state of New York. Ionescu was seen lying on the Liberty logo, overcome with the emotion of the moment.

It took 28 seasons, but the Liberty are finally WNBA champions. It is rumored that the team will hold celebrations in both Manhattan and Brooklyn, paying homage to the borough where the franchise started as well as their current home.

With the crowning of a new champion team, a historic WNBA season has officially come to an end.