NEW YORK-. Finally, the New York Libery won the WNBA championship after winning 67-62 in overtime in game five of the 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 had reached the Finals five previous times, missing each opportunity, including last season. This time they were not denied the championship, although it was necessary to play an additional five minutes.
The victory gave New York City its first basketball title since 1973, when the Knicks won the NBA championship.
With stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu struggling on offense, other players stepped up. Leonie Fiebich started overtime with a 3-pointer, and then Nyara Sabally stole the ball for a layup that made the score 65-60 and sent the sold-out crowd wild.
Minnesota did not score in overtime until Kayla McBride made 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 in 19 shot attempts, the Lynx had one last chance, but Bridget Carleton missed a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left.
Stewart, who missed a free throw with 0.8 seconds left in the series opener, made two with 10.1 seconds left to seal the victory
As the final seconds ticked away, the players hugged each other and streamers fell from the rafters.
Napheesa Collier scored 22 points to lead Minnesota before fouling out with 13 seconds left in overtime.