The New York Liberty have finally achieved their dream of becoming WNBA champions.

After facing defeat in five WNBA Finals, the Liberty secured their first title by defeating the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in a thrilling overtime Game 5 held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Lynx managed to push the series to a decisive final game after winning a closely contested Game 4 on Friday in Minneapolis.

Jonquel Jones was standout for New York, scoring 17 points along with six rebounds, while Breanna Stewart contributed with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier led her team with 22 points and seven rebounds, with Kayla McBride adding 21 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

The journey to this championship was a long one for the Liberty, one of the league’s original teams established in 1997. They reached the inaugural finals that year but lost to the Houston Comets. They faced further defeats by the Comets in 1999 and 2000 and were also bested by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2002. After a 21-year wait, the Liberty returned to the Finals last year but fell short against the Las Vegas Aces.

Now, New York can finally celebrate their long-desired WNBA championship in the city that never sleeps.

“Oh my god! This is unbelievable,” Stewart expressed in a post-game interview with ESPN. “I knew I had to do this for this city. It’s something truly special.

“It means everything to me,” Stewart added. “I came here with the goal of making a difference. We fought hard to bring this victory home for the city and the fans.”

▶ For a complete recap of Game 5, scroll down below the gallery.

Jonquel Jones earns WNBA Finals MVP honors

Center Jonquel Jones was awarded the Finals MVP after her notable 17-point effort in Game 5. Jones managed to shoot 5 of 10 from the field and grabbed six rebounds and one assist in 42 minutes of gameplay.

Overtime in Game 5 of WNBA Finals

In what has been a fiercely contested championship series, it was no surprise that the winner-take-all Game 5 between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx ended in overtime.

With just 3.8 seconds on the clock, Liberty’s Breanna Stewart made two critical free throws to tie the game at 60-60 after a challenge on a foul call involving Alanna Smith was upheld by the officials. Kayla McBride from Minnesota attempted a shot at the buzzer, but it bounced off the rim, allowing New York to capture the rebound.

It’s worth noting that Stewart had missed two free throws just 38 seconds earlier.

According to ESPN, this marks the first WNBA Finals to include multiple overtime periods and the first overtime in a winner-take-all final.

Late game action keeps Game 5 tied

With 1:35 remaining in the critical Game 5, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier scored a driving layup that equalized the score at 58-58.

Sabrina Ionescu breaks through in Game 5

Ionescu finally scored, landing a 3-pointer with 3:10 left in the game to put New York ahead 56-52. Despite earlier struggles, Ionescu ended the game with three points from one successful field goal in 15 attempts.

Alanna Smith faces ongoing injury issues

Alanna Smith has had a challenging game.

The Minnesota forward has been battling for position in the paint against Jonquel Jones, and with just over seven minutes to go, Jones was called for an offensive foul that caused Smith to fall hard. She was visibly upset and needed attention on the floor for several minutes, holding her lower back.

Smith was eventually able to leave the court under her own power. She briefly returned to the locker room before coming back to the bench with just under six minutes remaining. Her status for returning to the game remains uncertain. -Lindsay Schnell

End of third quarter: Liberty 47, Lynx 44

Nyara Sabally and the Liberty have taken charge of the game, entering the fourth quarter with the lead. Sabally scored 11 points in the third period. Meanwhile, Sabrina Ionescu remained scoreless with 0-for-10 from the field but managed to get two points from free throws.

Nyara Sabally makes a difference

Nyara Sabally has stepped off the bench and quickly made an impact for the Liberty, helping them regain momentum.

Sabally contributed nine points in just seven minutes during the third quarter.

Lynx and Liberty in a fierce late-third quarter battle

The Liberty took the lead from the Lynx, now ahead 40-38 with 2:57 left on the clock in the third quarter.

Lynx maintain lead through the third quarter against Liberty

The Lynx led the Liberty 38-33 with 5:11 remaining in the third quarter, having enjoyed a lead of as much as 12 points during the game.

Alanna Smith injured again

It’s clear that the Minnesota Lynx need Alanna Smith on the court to have a chance at the title.

who is battling through a painful back injury.

Following another tough fall, Smith appears to be in significant discomfort.

During a rebound tussle with Jonquel Jones from New York, Smith hit the ground hard, immediately reaching for her lower back. She signaled to the bench asking for a substitution, visibly biting her lip as she experienced intense pain. She’s moving very cautiously as the Lynx make their way to the locker room. -Lindsay Schnell

Halftime: Lynx 34, Liberty 27

Napheesa Collier and the Minnesota Lynx capitalized on their strong start in the game. Collier leads the scoring with 14 points in the first half.

Kayla McBride has contributed significantly, shooting 4 of 5 from the field, along with nine points, three rebounds, and three assists in the first half.

Sabrina Ionescu has yet to score, going 0 for 8 in shooting for the Liberty. Breanna Stewart finally got on the scoreboard in the second quarter, finishing the half with five points and ten rebounds.

Who is New York Liberty coach Sandy Brondello?

Sandy Brondello, the New York Liberty coach, has extensive experience coaching and playing in high-stakes games.

The Australian led the Phoenix Mercury to a WNBA championship in 2014, earning Coach of the Year honors that same season, and took the Mercury back to the Finals in 2021. She became the Liberty’s head coach before the 2022 season and within a year guided them to their first Finals appearance in 21 years. Now, under her leadership, New York is making its sixth appearance in the Finals in franchise history.

Brondello began her WNBA journey in 1998 as a player for the now-defunct Detroit Shock, where she was named an All-Star the following year. She also played for the Seattle Storm and the Miami Sol before its closure.

Brondello has achieved remarkable success beyond the WNBA as well, earning two Olympic silver medals and one bronze while representing the Australian national team in the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Summer Olympics. As a coach, she also helped the Opals win a bronze medal at the recent 2024 Paris Olympics.

Famous faces in the crowd

Game 5 of the WNBA Finals drew a crowd of celebrities who came to support the Lynx and Liberty in New York.

Notable figures like rapper Fat Joe, WNBA rookie Angel Reese, Jennifer Hudson, Common, and Jason Sudeikis were captured on the ESPN broadcast.

End of 1st quarter: Lynx 19, Liberty 10

Napheesa Collier topped the first quarter stats with eight points and three rebounds for the Lynx. Alanna Smith contributed five points and three rebounds.

Both Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu went without points in the first quarter. Jonquel Jones was the leading scorer for the Liberty with four points.

Sabrina Ionescu sets new Liberty playoff milestone

Sabrina Ionescu has established a new record for assists in the Liberty’s playoff history, totaling 117 assists.

Napheesa Collier provides Lynx with early lead

Napheesa Collier significantly boosted the Lynx’s momentum at the start of the game, scoring six of the first eight points and helping the team secure an early 8-2 advantage with 5:57 left in the first quarter.

When is Game 5 of the WNBA Finals?

Game 5 of the WNBA championship series featuring the Liberty and Lynx will take place on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

How to watch Game 5 of the WNBA Finals

Viewers can catch Game 5 on ESPN, featuring play-by-play from Ryan Ruocco, analysis from Rebecca Lobo, and sideline reporting by Holly Rowe.

Will there be a live stream of Game 5 of the WNBA Finals?

Game 5 will also be available for live streaming via ESPN+ or the ESPN app, as well as on Fubo, which is currently offering a free trial.

Enjoy the WNBA Finals with a subscription to Fubo

Liberty vs. Lynx odds, line

The New York Liberty are favored to beat the Minnesota Lynx in Friday’s WNBA Finals matchup, per BetMGM odds. For those interested in betting, check out the best betting apps and the latest offers in 2024.

• Spread: Liberty (-5.5)
• Moneyline: Liberty (-275); Lynx (+225)
• Over/under: 157.5

Who is playing in the WNBA Finals?

The New York Liberty, with a season record of 32-8, are set to face off against the four-time champion Lynx. A victory this season would give the Liberty their inaugural championship title.

2024 WNBA Finals bracket, schedule and results

Best-of-5; All times are in Eastern

• Game 1: Thursday, Oct. 10, Minnesota Lynx 95, New York Liberty 93
• Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 13, New York Liberty 80, Minnesota Lynx 66
• Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 16, New York Liberty 80, Minnesota Lynx 77
• Game 4: Friday, Oct. 18, Minnesota Lynx 82, New York Liberty 80
• Game 5: Sunday, Oct. 20: Minnesota Lynx at New York Liberty, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

2024 WNBA playoffs: Semifinals scores and results

All times are in Eastern

Sunday, Sept. 29

• Game 1: New York 87, Las Vegas 77, Liberty leads series 1-0
• Game 1: Connecticut 73, Minnesota 70, Sun leads series 1-0

Tuesday, Oct. 1

• Game 2: New York 88, Las Vegas 84, Liberty leads series 2-0
• Game 2: Minnesota 77, Connecticut 70, Series tied 1-1

Friday, Oct. 4

• Game 3: Minnesota 90, Connecticut 81, Lynx leads series 2-1
• Game 3: New York 81, Las Vegas 95, Liberty leads series 2-1

Sunday, Oct. 6

• Game 4: New York 76, Las Vegas 62, Liberty wins series 3-1
• Game 4: Connecticut 92, Minnesota 82, Series tied 2-2

Tuesday, Oct. 8

• Game 5: Minnesota 88, Connecticut 77 Lynx clinch series

Viewing Options for the 2024 WNBA Finals

The upcoming 2024 WNBA Finals will be available on ABC or ESPN, depending on which game is being aired. Fans can also stream the series via Fubo, Sling, and the WNBA League Pass.

Sabrina Ionescu and Mila: An Unlikely Bond

NEW YORK — A charming twist in the Finals narrative: Napheesa Collier’s 2-year-old daughter has taken a liking to New York guard Sabrina Ionescu as her favorite player.

After the Lynx secured their victory in Game 4 and set the stage for a decisive Game 5 in Brooklyn, a heartwarming video circulated on social media showing Mila joyfully hugging both Ionescu and her husband Hroniss Grasu.

The duo formed a close connection during the Olympics in Paris, spending time together at the USA Basketball hotel.

“We were inseparable,” shared Ionescu with a beaming smile in an interview with YSL News Sports. “We shared breakfast every morning. After Game 4, when I was heading to the bus—I hadn’t seen her since Paris—I suddenly heard a little voice shout my name, and it just made my day. It felt like a reunion for both of us!”

During the Olympics, Ionescu became a favorite among the kids of USA Basketball, even earning the title of “player you would hire as a nanny” from her teammates. Mila, in particular, was always searching for her, often asking, “Where’s my Sab?” when Ionescu wasn’t around.

According to Collier, Mila gets excited and yells “Sabrina!” every time she spots Ionescu on TV. However, Collier points out that there’s no question about who Mila, often seen sporting a mini No. 24 jersey, is cheering for in the Finals.

“She loves everyone, but in this case, she’s definitely on our side,” Collier laughed. “It’s all about Mama!”

-Lindsay Schnell

Projected New York Liberty Roster

• Breanna Stewart
• Sabrina Ionescu
• Jonquel Jones
• Betnijah Laney
• Leonie Fiebich

Projected Minnesota Lynx Roster

• Napheesa Collier
• Kayla McBride
• Alanna Smith
• Bridget Carleton
• Courtney Williams

Upcoming Changes to WNBA Finals Structure

No player has logged more minutes this series than Minnesota’s forward, Napheesa Collier, a seasoned veteran who has already made history with a record-setting 263 points this postseason.

Through four games, Collier has played 158 out of a possible 165 minutes (with Game 1 going into overtime). When informed of these stats, she chuckled and replied, “I’m not at all surprised,” noting that she couldn’t imagine anyone logging more minutes than she has.

As the Finals transition to a seven-game series next year, similar to other major professional leagues, one can only imagine the impact it will have on players.

“It’ll definitely be beneficial for the sport, but I can’t deny—it’s going to be tough,” remarked Collier. “It’ll be a real challenge.”

Her coach echoed her sentiment.

“I love watching the NBA Finals and playoffs, and having participated in intense five-game series, I always thought, ‘Wow, going to seven games must be a whirlwind,’” said Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve. “The physical and mental toll from a seven-game series is significant. I suspect relying on players for 40 minutes in that context wouldn’t be wise.”

-Lindsay Schnell

Surge in WNBA Finals Viewership

According to ESPN PR, the Game 3 matchup, where the New York Liberty edged the Minnesota Lynx 80-77, recorded an impressive 1.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched WNBA Finals game on cable. The peak viewership reached 2 million, marking a growth of +112% compared to Game 3 of the 2023 finals aired on ABC. The league is seeing unprecedented viewer numbers.

2024 All-WNBA Selections

The league revealed its All-WNBA first and second teams on Wednesday, with the following players named:

First Team:

• Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
• A’Ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
• Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty
• Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
• Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun

Second Team:

• Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
• Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury
• Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm
• Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
• Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty

History of WNBA Champions

As of Sunday, either a new champion will be crowned or the Lynx will claim their fifth title. Below are the champions throughout the league’s history.

• 1997: Houston Comets
• 1998: Houston Comets
• 1999: Houston Comets
• 2000: Houston Comets
• 2001: Los Angeles Sparks
• 2002: Los Angeles Sparks
• 2003: Detroit Shock
• 2004: Seattle Storm
• 2005: Sacramento Monarchs
• 2006: Detroit Shock
• 2007: Phoenix Mercury
• 2008: Detroit Shock
• 2009: Phoenix Mercury
• 2010: Seattle Storm
• 2011: Minnesota Lynx
• 2012: Indiana Fever
• 2013: Minnesota Lynx
• 2014: Phoenix Mercury
• 2015: Minnesota Lynx
• 2016: Los Angeles Sparks
• 2017: Minnesota Lynx
• 2018: Seattle Storm
• 2019: Washington Mystics
• 2020: Seattle Storm
• 2021: Chicago Sky
• 2022: Las Vegas Aces
• 2023: Las Vegas Aces
• 2024: New York Liberty or Minnesota Lynx

WNBA Highlights and Low Points

Game 4 presented plenty of moments of both triumph and challenge, as reported by YSL News’s Lindsay Schnell and Nancy Armour. One standout from the game was Alanna Smith.

“Just two days after experiencing a tough fall in Game 3, Smith managed to play through significant lower back discomfort on Friday, contributing 12 points, seven rebounds, one block, and two steals and assists. Although her defensive efforts might not be evident on the stat sheet, she was once again strong in the paint, particularly while matching up against Jonquel Jones.” – Nancy Armour

Spike Lee: The Liberty’s Biggest Supporter

Spike Lee is feeling hopeful about the New York Liberty.

The iconic basketball enthusiast returned to Barclays for Game 5, wearing a signed, game-worn jersey of Sabrina Ionescu, and he believes this could finally be the year the city claims a championship title.

“The atmosphere is fantastic. This is their sixth time in the Finals, and they’ve only won once, so tonight is crucial. Tonight is the night,” Lee shared during a segment on WNBA Countdown.

Though Lee is widely recognized as a super fan of the New York Knicks, consistently seen courtside taunting opposing teams, he mentioned that he appreciates all basketball. He is thrilled to witness more spectators recognizing the WNBA as a genuine sport. Co-host Carolyn Peck reminded Lee of their time together at the Atlanta Olympics, a year prior to the WNBA’s inception, and inquired how he observed the evolution of the game since then.

“Growth,” he replied confidently. “People are beginning to see that this game is the real deal. It’s not just some recreational league. They’re true athletes.”

Lee occasionally attended Liberty games held at Madison Square Garden, but his enthusiasm surged after the Liberty selected Sabrina Ionescu as the first overall pick in 2020. Ionescu recounted how Lee reached out with a message expressing his excitement for her arrival in the city and the incredible love NYC has for basketball.

Lee and Ionescu reunited during the 2024 NBA All-Star game, where she participated in a three-point competition against Steph Curry. During their conversation, Ionescu urged him to attend a game, and he agreed. Since then, he has been a consistent presence on the sidelines throughout the playoffs, frequently donning her jersey.

“She’s going to shine,” Lee confidently claimed. “T-H-A-N-G. Shine.” – Nancy Armour

New York Liberty Team Roster

• Jaylyn Sherrod, Guard
• Marquesha Davis, Guard
• Kennedy Burke, Guard-Forward
• Kayla Thornton, Forward
• Nyara Sabally, Center
• Leonie Fiebich, Forward
• Ivana Dojkic, Guard
• Sabrina Ionescu, Guard
• Courtney Vandersloot, Guard
• Breanna Stewart, Forward
• Jonquel Jones, Center
• Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Guard-Forward

Minnesota Lynx Team Roster

• Olivia Epoupa, Guard
• Diamond Miller, Forward
• Natisha Hiedeman, Guard
• Bridget Carleton, Forward
• Alanna Smith, Forward
• Cecilia Zandalasini, Forward
• Courtney Williams, Guard
• Dorka Juhasz, Forward
• Kayla McBride, Guard
• Myisha Hines-Allen, Forward
• Napheesa Collier, Forward
• Alissa Pili, Forward