NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Liberty lastly have a WNBA championship after beating the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in extra time of a decisive Recreation 5 on Sunday evening.
Jonquel Jones scored 17 factors to guide New York, which was one of many authentic franchises within the league. The Liberty made the WNBA Finals 5 occasions earlier than, dropping each, together with final season. This time they wouldn’t be denied, though it took an additional 5 minutes.
The win gave the town of New York its first basketball title since 1973 when the Knicks gained the NBA championship.
With stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu struggling on offense, different gamers stepped up. Leonie Fiebich began off OT with a 3-pointer, after which Nyara Sabally had a steal for a layup to make it 65-60 and produce the sellout crowd to a frenzied state.
Minnesota didn’t rating in OT till Kayla McBride hit two free throws with 1:51 left. The Lynx missed all six of their area aim makes an attempt in extra time. After Ionescu missed a shot with 21 seconds left, her 18th miss on 19 shot makes an attempt, the Lynx had one final probability, however Bridget Carleton missed a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left.
Stewart, who missed a free throw with 0.8 seconds left in Recreation 1, hit two free throws with 10.1 seconds left to seal the victory.
As the ultimate seconds ticked off the clock the gamers hugged and streamers fell from the rafters
Napheesa Collier scored 22 factors to guide Minnesota earlier than fouling out with 13 seconds left in OT.