After 28 years, the New York Liberty won the franchise's first WNBA title with a final victory over the Minnesota Lynx

CNN
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The long wait for the Liberty is over.

After 28 years and five previous final appearances, New York are now champions.

In front of a raucous Brooklyn crowd at the Barclays Center, the Liberty defeated a relentless Minnesota Lynx team 67-62 in overtime in Game 5 of the finals.

Nyara Sabally was New York's unexpected star.

Entering Sunday, she was averaging 2.8 points per game in the Finals, but managed to score a crucial 13 points in Game 5.

The former Oregon star made an impact that went beyond her unforeseen offensive impact. She grabbed seven rebounds and had a crucial block in OT, stuffing Lynx star Napheesa Collier at the basket as Minnesota tried to tie the game late.

The cancellation was not lost on anyone after the game. Finally, Collier led the WNBA playoffs in points, rebounds, blocks and steals.

Her teammate Breanna Stewart praised Sabally after the game.

“We tried to do everything we could. We needed a spark and that was her. She continued to trust the process and we are so proud of Ny. So proud,” she said.

How valuable was the member of the German national team? The typical role player was often assigned to guard Collier and played the entire overtime session.

“This is what I've been working towards my whole career – moments like this,” she said at the trophy presentation after the game.

“And the opportunity to come here and do that in Game 5 at home just means the world.”

The new star then hugged her sister as tears welled up in her eyes.

But New York needed the face of the franchise to come up big to even force an extension.

Without Stewart, the Lynx might have danced to their famous celebratory “Electric Slide” at the buzzer if not for the two-time WNBA Finals MVP.

With less than six seconds left in regulation and two seconds behind, Stewart stood at the free throw line with steely nerves and calmly stroked both charity stripe buckets as if no one was watching.

But the moment was not without controversy, with many arguing that the free throws should never have been missed.

The officials had called a foul as Stewart drove to the basket and appeared to have minimal contact with Alanna Smith as she took a shot.

The Lynx challenged the call, but the decision was upheld after a video review.

“I'm sorry, but that wasn't a foul! Let the damn players dictate the outcome of a hard-fought, tested game,” NBA superstar LeBron James posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said the call “decided the game,” adding that the game — and the WNBA championship — “were stolen from us.”

“The referees should have a third party during the game because that wasn't a foul. “That call should have been reversed on this challenge,” she told reporters.

“I know all the headlines will be 'Reeve crying foul.' Bring it on, sure. Bring it on,” Reeve said. “Because this shit was stolen from us. Bring it on.”

When asked about Reeves' complaints, Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello told reporters that she respects both her counterpart and the entire Lynx team.

“I thought they were pretty fair,” she said with a laugh when asked what she thought of the officers. “I have so much respect for Cheryl and I have so much respect for the Minnesota Lynx team because, man, it was ugly, but we found a way to win.”

Regardless of the controversy, Stewart was a force on the board, grabbing 15 rebounds and 13 points.

The Liberty's other big star, Sabrina Ionescu, struggled mightily in the game, scoring just five points on 1 of 19 shooting.

New York's Jonquel Jones was named MVP of the Finals.

The Bahamian was stable on Sunday while her teammates couldn't find their rhythm.

She scored 12 points in two quarters, nearly half the Liberty's production. Jones finished the game with 17 points and six rebounds.

Jones was humbled after he was presented with the prestigious award and the crowd chanted “MVP.”

“None of this happens without my teammates and without the people who poured into me,” she said, thanking her mother, her fiancé and others.

At halftime, the Lynx were ahead 34-27. Without Jones, NY would have been in serious trouble.

The Liberty started ice cold, the Lynx opened the game with a 6-0 run. Jones has finally managed to calm New York's nerves.

Collier started hot and hit several lay-ins toward the basket. After Collier extended the lead to 19-10 with a three-pointer in the first quarter, New York head coach Sandy Brondello called a timeout to stop the momentum. Collier finished the opening quarter with 8 points and a game-high total of 22 points.

With the Lynx up 10, Stewart finally scored her first points in the second quarter.

Despite her shooting problems, Ionescu never gave up and provided important assists.

After the Lynx came out of their locker room cold, the former University of Oregon guard went cold Sabally hit back-to-back three-pointers – the second put the Liberty up 40-38 and gave the team its first lead.

Ionescu was elated by the moment – she flexed as the lively Brooklyn crowd showered her with support.

After the win, Ionescu paid tribute to her team.

“(I) just did everything I could to win. (I) believed in my teammates, in the entire organization. It takes everyone; You can't do this alone.

“God, we did it in New York,” she screamed, much to the delight of fans.

The same supporters must participate in a parade.

After the Liberty's 3-2 series win, New York City Mayor Eric Adams posted on social media that “City Hall and other buildings around the city will be lit with sea foam in their honor.” But that's not all. We are hosting a parade for these incredible athletes to celebrate all their hard work this season.”

Details of the celebration are expected on Monday.