WNBA Finals: Liberty beat Lynx in overtime in deciding Game 5 for franchise's first championship

The Liberty finished first in the regular season, and they were on the verge of doing the same in the postseason after Sabrina Ionescu’s 28-foot Shot Heard ’Round the (Basketball) World won Game 3 of the WNBA Finals in Minnesota.

Then the Lynx refused to lose Game 4 at home, winning by two to even the series. So this title fight would end for the Liberty on Sunday night in the high heat of a winner-take-all Game 5 in front of their all-in, super-loud, white-towel-waving sellout crowd of 18,090 at Barclays Center.

They were so driven to finally make this the year for this franchise after going 0-for-5 in the title round. This time the Liberty had that sting of losing in last year’s Finals to push them. They had the experience as a group. They had a better team with the addition of rookie Leonie Fiebich. And they had their home court.

They still found themselves in an epic struggle for first prize. After rallying from 12 behind in the second quarter, the Liberty got two free throws from Breanna Stewart with 5.2 seconds to go in regulation to send the last game of the season to overtime.

Fiebich hit a three-pointer eight seconds into OT to give them the lead for good, and they hung on. There were the Liberty at the end, 67-62 winners/survivors/proud owners of what they craved.

The core group had been brought together last year to try to end the franchise’s drought. Mission accomplished.

Season No. 28 came with title No. 1. The Liberty claimed the first championship by a New York pro basketball team since the 1976 Nets in the old ABA and the first title for a New York City pro basketball team since the Knicks in 1973.

“Minnesota, credit to them; they’re a tough team,” coach Sandy Brondello said during the on-court ceremony as the fans stood and listened. “But New York, we did it!”

After winning two titles with Seattle, Stewart signed here last year to try to deliver this — trophy, ring, parade.

“I’m so proud of this team, but so happy to be able to bring the first championship because this city deserves it,” she said.

Jonquel Jones scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds. The 6-6 center, another of the big additions in 2023, was named the Finals MVP. When the game ended, she embraced Stewart and her tears flowed like a river.

“I didn’t say one word,” Jones said. “I was just crying the whole time, just so happy to win and to be able to do it with her.”

Stewart shot 4-for-15 but scored 13 points and had 15 rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots. Fiebich also scored 13. So did Nyara Sabally, who added seven rebounds while providing a huge lift off the bench. And then there was Ionescu. She shot 1-for-19 and scored only five points, and the Liberty still survived.

After Fiebich’s three-pointer made it 63-60, Sabally stole the ball from Kayla McBride and took it in for a layup and a five-point lead with 3:14 left.

McBride cut it to 65-62 with two free throws and Sabally was called for an offensive foul with 1:33 left. But Stewart batted the ball off Natisha Hiedeman for a turnover 18 seconds later.

After Ionescu missed a three, the Lynx had their last chance and called a timeout with 18.4 seconds on the clock. Then Bridget Carleton missed a three and Sabally grabbed the rebound.

Stewart hit two free throws with 10.1 seconds left — 67-62.

Fiebich stole the ensuing inbounds pass and Stewart dribbled out the clock.

The fans screamed with joy and streamers descended from the rafters. Then the confetti fell during the trophy ceremony.

But not everyone went away happy.

Back in regulation, Minnesota led 60-58 on a layup with 1:04 to go by Napheesa Collier, who scored 22 points. Stewart missed two at the line with 38.2 seconds left. Fiebich got the offensive rebound, but Ionescu missed a three. Minnesota then got called for a jump ball violation.

Ionescu missed another three-pointer (she was 1-for-10 on threes and the Liberty were 2-for-23 overall). But Collier couldn’t convert a drive and Stewart grabbed the rebound.

Timeout Liberty.

Stewart, who missed a potential game-winning free throw with eight-tenths of a second left in regulation in the Liberty's Game 1 overtime loss,    drove toward the basket and Alanna Smith was called for a foul with 5.2 seconds left. The Lynx unsuccessfully challenged the call, and Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was fuming.

Free throws: Good and good. Tie score at 60. OT.

“All the headlines will be, ‘Reeve cries foul,’ ” Reeve said. “Bring it on because this [expletive] was stolen from us.”

The Liberty fell behind 19-10 after one quarter and 32-20 in the second period but cut the deficit to 34-27 at halftime. Brondello went to a big lineup and Sabally scored nine points in the third quarter. The Liberty took a 47-44 edge into the fourth.

Ten minutes later, they were champs.

“Hey, let’s not stop at one, though,” Brondello said. “Let’s go for two.”