NEW YORK, NY – In a contentious WNBA series, a champion is now crowned.
The New York Liberty, after a 28-year losing streak, have defeated the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in game 5 to win the WNBA finals.
Coming off five consecutive losing campaigns, they have finally shredded the run of frustration and the clear distinction of being the only WNBA original franchise without a title. The Liberty were able to clinch a championship on their court. In a post game presser, the head coach of the Liberty commented on the win ““Hey, let’s not stop at one, though,” Brondello said. “Let’s go for two.”
By bringing in two former MVPS in Jones and Stewart, and one of the league’s best point guards in Vandersloot, New York was able to assemble a superteam.
As Liberty rose to the top, New York City took notice. Barclays Center averaged the second-best attendance in the league of 12,730 people, as this was only a sampling of what would await in the postseason, which was the highest-attended season finals in league history.
But the game wasn’t exactly smooth sailing for Liberty. Both Ionescu and Stewart’s shooting combined to be 5 for 24 shots. Thankfully, other players were able to step up.
Jones, the 2021 MVP scored 17 points. “She led us,” commented Stewart about Jones, who was named Finals MVP. “Her dominance in the paint, on the boards, help-side defense. Everything that we needed, she was there.”
An unexpected hero also emerged as Saybally, a sub off the bench, totaled 13 points. Brondello states that “She has that X factor” and “she really rose to the occasion.”
Not only was this year a change of pace for the New York Liberty. According to the commissioner, Cathay Engelbert, this was the WNBA’s “most transformative year.” With its most-watched regular season in 24 years, most-viewed playoffs in 25 years, and its highest attendance in 22 years, momentum is flourishing for the WNBA heading into 2025.
After signing a $2.2 billion dollar media deal, things are truly looking up for the WNBA and the league itself is hungry for a win.
As Brondello aptly put it: “Hey, let’s not stop at one, though, let’s go for two.”