In a season that redefined the WNBA’s place in the cultural zeitgeist, it was only fitting that the league’s most iconic franchise would have the final say. The New York Liberty, one of the WNBA’s three remaining original teams, clinched their elusive first championship on Sunday night in a heart-stopping Game 5 overtime thriller against the Minnesota Lynx.
A Season of Firsts and Record-Breaking Feats
The 2024 WNBA campaign was a season like no other, marked by individual brilliance and leaguewide growth:
- A’ja Wilson captured her third MVP award with one of the most dominant performances in WNBA history
- Rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese dazzled fans with their sensational play
- The league enjoyed its most-watched regular season in 24 years and highest attendance in 22 years
The Liberty’s Redemption Arc
For the Liberty, this title was a long time coming. New York had endured a string of postseason heartbreaks, including five fruitless trips to the WNBA Finals. The franchise hit rock bottom as recently as 2020, finishing with a dismal 2-20 record.
But in a single offseason, the script flipped. The Liberty assembled a superteam, becoming the first squad in league history to add two former MVPs (Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart) and an elite point guard (Courtney Vandersloot) in one fell swoop. Suddenly, a perennial also-ran became an instant contender.
An Epic Game 5 for the Ages
In front of a raucous sold-out crowd at Barclays Center, the Liberty outlasted the Lynx in the first-ever winner-take-all overtime Game 5 in WNBA Finals history. Jonquel Jones, the 2021 MVP, led the way with 17 points and corralled crucial rebounds to earn Finals MVP honors.
“To be able to bring a championship to New York, first ever in franchise history, it’s an incredible feeling,” Stewart said. “I literally can’t wait to continue to celebrate with the city because I know it’s going to be bonkers.”
The Liberty also got vital contributions from rookie Leonie Fiebich, energetic defense from Kayla Thornton, and a stunning breakout performance from reserve center Nyara Sabally. Even on an off shooting night, Stewart made crucial plays down the stretch, including the go-ahead free throws in overtime.
A Fitting End to a Transcendent Season
As the final seconds ticked away and the Liberty clinched the title, it felt like the culmination of not just New York’s journey, but the WNBA’s meteoric rise. With the league poised for expansion, a lucrative new media deal, and unprecedented momentum, the Liberty’s long-awaited championship served as an exclamation point on a season that will be remembered as a pivotal inflection point in the WNBA’s history.
For the Liberty and their fervent fanbase, this title was a cathartic release—an exorcism of past demons and a celebration of a bright future. As the team hoisted the championship trophy and confetti rained down, one thing was clear: the New York Liberty, and the WNBA as a whole, had finally arrived.
