From October 10 until October 20, the New York Liberty battled the Minnesota Lynx for the 2024 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Championship title. In the final game, the Liberty won in overtime with a score of 67-62. The suspense for the final game was huge: after months of blood, sweat, and tears, both teams were tied with two wins, setting up a dramatic winner-takes-all finale. Characterized by exciting plays and controversial calls, Game 5 saw fans of both teams were on the edge of their seats the whole night.
Going into the game, the Lynx were favored to win, in large part due to their star player, Napheesa Collier. The 28-year-old forward was drafted by the Lynx in 2019 and has since led the team in points and rebounds. Collier was dominant again in the final, scoring 22 points and grabbing 7 rebounds, the most for any player on either team. Her teammate Kayla McBride was close behind with 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists of her own. For the Liberty, Breanna Stewart and Leonie Fiebich were the top scorers, both with 13 points each. The game was played at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and was close the whole way, with many players from each team contributing.
For much of the game, it looked like the Lynx would win. However, a controversial foul on Breanna Stewart changed the tide. With 30 seconds to go in the game and the Liberty down 58-60, Stewart was fouled but missed both free throws. Then, with 5 seconds to go, another foul was called in her favor. Fans of both teams commented that the foul was invalid and should not have been called, with many of the Liberty fans joking that they had no comment. Nevertheless, Stewart made both shots and sent the game into overtime with a score of 60-60. At the end of the game, the Liberty won 67-62.
This marks the Liberty’s first-ever championship and New York’s first basketball championship in 48 years since the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association won the title in 1973. It was a historic win for the women of the Liberty, finally emerging victorious in their sixth finals trip. Fans of the team are overjoyed and cannot wait for next season.