Mission accomplished. For the first time in franchise history, the New York Liberty have finally won a WNBA championship.
New York needed a decisive Game 5 — and the first overtime winner-take-all in WNBA Finals history — but on Sunday, the Liberty beat the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in extra time to capture their first title after 28 seasons. A franchise full of near-misses and heartache, losing in five previous attempts at a title, New York at last added WNBA champion to the Liberty legacy.
It didn’t come easy. New York trailed by as many as 12 points and didn’t hit a 3-pointer until late in regulation. Sabrina Ionescu shot 1-for-19 and didn’t score until the third quarter. And Breanna Stewart was 4-for-15 from the field.
So how did the Liberty do it? Which players stepped up along side WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones? ESPN takes a look at four keys to how New York put the finishing touches on its title run and the only WNBA Finals with multiple overtime games.
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Nyara Sabally elevates for a big block late in OT
Lynx’s Napheesa Collier drives in looking for a layup, but Nyara Sabally denies her from behind for the Liberty.
