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 these 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 Sunday night in the high heat of a winner-take-all Game 5 in front of their all-in, super-loud, white-towel-waving crowd at a packed Barclays Center against a team that seemed just as good.

They were so driven to finally make this the year for this franchise after it had gone 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 force the last game of the season into OT.

Fiebich gave them the early lead 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 constructed last year to end the franchise’s drought.

Mission accomplished.

Season No. 28 came with title No. 1. This team claimed the first championship by a New York pro basketball franchise since the 1976 Nets in the old ABA.

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

Jonquel Jones scored 17 and grabbed six rebounds, and the 6-6 center took the Finals MVP award.

“I could never dream of this,” Jones said.

Stewart scored 13 as did Fiebich. So did Nyara Sabally, and she added seven rebounds, providing a huge lift off the bench. Ionescu shot 1-for-19 and scored only five, and the Liberty still survived.

“I think we have like a sense of calmness, to be honest,” Fiebich had said after their morning shootaround.

Fiebich sank a three for the first points of OT, making it 63-60. Sabally stole the ball from Kayla McBride and took it for a layup and a five-point lead with 3:14 left.

McBride cut it to 65-62 with two free throws. Then 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.

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

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

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

The fans were screaming with happiness and streamers were descending from the rafters. Then the confetti fell during the trophy ceremony.

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

Ionescu missed another three. Then Collier missed a drive. Stewart grabbed the rebound.

Timeout Liberty.

Stewart, who couldn’t deliver a foul shot for the win with 0.8 left in regulation in the Game 1 overtime loss, went up in the lane and was fouled by Alanna Smith with 5.2 left. The Lynx unsuccessfully challenged the foul.

Good and good. Tie game at 60. OT.

The Liberty fell behind 19-10 after one quarter and 32-20 in the second period when Collier scored on a layup.

But they had it down to 34-27 at the intermission and took a 47-44 edge into the fourth.

“This was always the goal,” Brondello said before the game. “We went out and got really talented players, and I think that they came together in these two years together and [developed] the chemistry.