New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) holds the championship trophy after the Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA basketball final series in New York.
WNBA 2024 Final: New York Liberty Are Crowned Champions - In Pics
As confetti fell and Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” blared through the arena, the New York Liberty celebrated the end of a 27-year odyssey. The team that always fell short, starting from their days in Madison Square Garden, through detours to Radio City Music Hall and Westchester County Center, finally found their way to the top. Start spreading the news, indeed: There’s finally a pro basketball champion in New York again after a 67-62 overtime win over Minnesota in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday night. Jonquel Jones scored 17 points to lead New York, which was one of the original franchises in the league. The Liberty made the WNBA Finals five times before, losing each one, including last season. This time they wouldn’t be denied, although it took an extra five minutes. Minnesota didn’t score in OT until Kayla McBride hit two free throws with 1:51 left. The Lynx missed all six of their field goal attempts in overtime. After Ionescu missed a shot with 21 seconds left, her 18th miss on 19 shot attempts, the Lynx had one last chance, but Bridget Carleton missed a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left.
WNBA Finals: New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones, left, holds up the MVP award | Photo: AP/Pamela Smith
New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones, left, holds up the MVP award after the Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA basketball final series in New York.
WNBA Finals: The New York Liberty hold up the championship trophy | Photo: AP/Pamela Smith
The New York Liberty hold up the championship trophy after defeating the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA basketball final series in New York.
WNBA Finals: New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu holds up the championship trophy | Photo: AP/Pamela Smith
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu holds up the championship trophy after the Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA basketball final series in New York.
WNBA Finals: New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) reacts after scoring against the Minnesota Lynx | Photo: AP/Pamela Smith
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 final series in New York.
WNBA Finals: Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) goes up for a shot against the New York Liberty | Photo: AP/Pamela Smith
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) goes up for a shot against the New York Liberty during the third quarter of Game 5 of the WNBA basketball final series in New York.
WNBA Finals: Minnesota Lynx forward Cecilia Zandalasini (9) battles for a loose ball against New York Liberty | Photo: AP/Pamela Smith
Minnesota Lynx forward Cecilia Zandalasini (9) battles for a loose ball against New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, left, and guard Sabrina Ionescu, right, during the second quarter of Game 5 of the WNBA basketball final series in New York.
WNBA Finals: New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) goes up for a shot | Photo: AP/Pamela Smith
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) goes up for a shot against Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) during the first quarter of Game 5 of the WNBA basketball final series.
WNBA Finals: Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) drives to the basket | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr
Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) drives to the basket against New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu during the second half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series in Minneapolis.
WNBA Finals: | Photo: AP/Pamela Smith
New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) makes a free throw to tie the game against the Minnesota Lynx near the end of regulation time of Game 5 of the WNBA basketball final series in New York.
WNBA Finals: Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton (6) drives against New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones | Photo: AP/Pamela Smith
Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton (6) drives against New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones (35) during the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the WNBA basketball final series in New York.
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