After 28 years of near-misses and heartache, the New York Liberty are finally WNBA champions. In a Game 5 instant classic that required overtime, the Liberty outlasted the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 to claim their first title in franchise history.
The road to glory was anything but smooth. New York faced a 12-point deficit and saw stars Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart struggle mightily with their shots. But in the crucible of a winner-take-all battle, unlikely heroes and an indomitable spirit carried the Liberty to the promised land.
Sabally Steps Up on the Big Stage
With Ionescu and Stewart firing blanks, the Liberty desperately needed someone to provide a spark. Enter second-year center Nyara Sabally. The former Oregon standout, who was averaging a mere 3.4 points per game, exploded for 13 points in just 17 minutes off the bench.
Sabally’s energy and fearless play ignited a game-changing third quarter rally. She scored 9 of her 13 points in the period, tying the game at 38 before giving New York its first lead moments later. Her 8 rebounds, including a crucial board to ice the game in overtime, loomed just as large.
Stars Struggle, Still Shine
A combined 5-for-34 shooting night from Ionescu and Stewart could have spelled disaster. But the dynamic duo found other ways to impact the game. Ionescu dished out 8 assists, 4 in the pivotal third quarter, repeatedly finding Sabally on pick-and-rolls.
And while her shot never fell, Stewart came up clutch at the charity stripe. After a miss at the end of regulation in Game 1 and two crucial misses late in the fourth quarter of Game 5, she calmly sank two free throws with 5 seconds left to force overtime.
Jonquel Jones, Finals MVP
Amid her teammates’ struggles, Jonquel Jones put the Liberty on her back. The 2021 WNBA MVP poured in a game-high 17 points, including key buckets whenever New York needed them most. It was a fitting encore to her 21-point effort in Game 4.
“JJ was our rock. Whenever we needed a big play, a momentum shift, she delivered. That’s what MVPs do,” said Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello.
Defense Wins Championships
For all the offensive heroics, it was the Liberty’s suffocating defense that ultimately sealed the deal. After allowing 28 points in the first half, New York held the Lynx to just 28 over the final 25 minutes. The league’s top 3-point shooting team managed a paltry 3-for-19 from deep.
Stewart’s length deterred drives and challenged shots all night, leading to 15 rebounds and 3 blocks. The Liberty forced 5 turnovers in overtime alone, finishing with 16 for the game.
Legacy Cemented
The championship monkey is finally off the Liberty’s back. After five gut-wrenching Finals losses, including two in the previous three seasons, New York can call itself a WNBA champion.
“This is for every player, coach, and fan who’s been a part of this journey. The heartbreaks, the almosts…it’s all led to this moment. We’re etched in history now,” an emotional Brondello said amidst the celebration.
From Sabally’s unexpected star turn to Jones’ MVP performance, Game 5 encapsulated the Liberty’s season. Resilience, tenacity, unwavering belief. Traits of a champion. The New York Liberty are WNBA royalty at last.
