Start Spreading the News: The New York Liberty are WNBA Champions!

Published: Thursday, October 24, 2024

by Darren Worrell

"Everything is on God’s timing" perfectly sums up the journey of the New York Liberty franchise. Despite reaching the WNBA Finals five times, the team had always found itself falling short, even with the right pieces in place. Each season brought high hopes and talent, yet the elusive championship remained just out of reach. However, as the 2024 season unfolded, the Liberty entered with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. This time, they were on a mission—not just to return to the Finals, but to claim their first title and solidify their legacy.

The Liberty were rolling early in the season, going 4-2. From there, New York ignited a remarkable run, winning 17 of their next 19 games and heading into the Olympic break with a 21-4 record. This momentum propelled them to a franchise-record-tying 32-8 finish, earning the league's top seed and home-court advantage throughout the WNBA Playoffs.

The Liberty encountered a series of hurdles throughout the playoffs, making their journey anything but easy. In the first round, they faced the Atlanta Dream, where former Liberty player Tina Charles made a significant impact, helping her team take a 1-0 series lead. However, the top-seeded Liberty quickly found their footing, bouncing back to win the next two games and clinch the series 2-1. In the Eastern Conference Finals, they faced off against the Las Vegas Aces, the reigning champions who had defeated them in the previous year’s Finals. With league MVP A’ja Wilson leading a talented roster that included Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young, the Aces posed a tough challenge. Yet the Liberty demonstrated their resilience, winning the series in four games and suffering just one loss. This victory marked their sixth appearance in the WNBA Finals in franchise history, fueling their determination to finally secure the championship title they had long pursued.

In the WNBA Finals, the Liberty faced the Minnesota Lynx, the second-seeded team with a wealth of Finals experience, having won four championships in six previous appearances. This marked the Lynx’s seventh Finals appearance, and they aimed to secure their fifth title with a talented roster that included 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier and WNBA champion Kayla McBride. The stage was set for what many considered the greatest WNBA Finals in history, featuring thrilling come-from-behind wins and game-winning shots, such as Sabrina Ionescu’s clutch performance that silenced the Minnesota crowd in Game 3. While the first four games highlighted offensive prowess, the final game of the series showcased a battle of defenses.

Minnesota’s defense was instrumental in stifling the Liberty, holding New York to a mere 10 points in the first quarter—its worst opening of the year. The Lynx also limited the Liberty's shooting from beyond the arc, allowing just two made three-pointers out of 23 attempts. A key factor in suppressing New York's offensive stars was Minnesota’s ability to contain Game 3 heroes Breanna Stewart and Ionescu, who struggled with their shooting, going 4-for-15 and 1-for-19, respectively. Despite their offensive difficulties, both players contributed in other ways: Ionescu tallied eight assists and seven rebounds, while Stewart excelled defensively with 15 rebounds and 13 points. Collier, who had a historic playoff run for the Lynx, fouled out in the game’s final seconds. New York’s gritty 7-2 overtime run sealed the game, and as the buzzer sounded, fans and Liberty players erupted at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The 28-year curse was finally broken; the Liberty had reached the mountaintop and could proudly claim the title of WNBA champions.

New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones was named Finals MVP, and she expressed her emotions after receiving the award. "I could never dream of this," said Jones. "You know how many times I've been denied; it was delayed. I am so happy to do it here." Jones’s words encapsulate the spirit of the Liberty franchise. Despite being denied a championship five times, it was just a delay. That moment had finally arrived.

Darren Worrell can be reached at darren.worrell@student.shu.edu. 

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