WNBA

2024 - 10 - 21

Liberty's Overtime Triumph: A Thrilling First Championship with a Side of Controversy!

breanna stewart -- sabrina ionescu -- wnba finals basketball championship - Cheryl Reeve - Jonquel Jones - Minnesota Lynx - New York Liberty - overtime - player contracts - referees - WNBA - women's basketball - breanna stewart - sabrina ionescu - wnba finals

After a nail-biting overtime win, the New York Liberty snag their first WNBA championship! But was it all fair play? Tune in for the drama!

The New York Liberty has finally realized its championship dreams after clinching its first WNBA title with a suspenseful overtime victory against the Minnesota Lynx, winning 67-62 in Game 5 of the finals. The Liberty, long regarded as one of the league’s original franchises, faced a rigorous battle but ultimately emerged victorious, marking a historic milestone for the team. As confetti rained down and Frank Sinatra’s iconic hit “New York, New York” serenaded the jubilant fans, the Liberty celebrated an unforgettable night that showcased resilience and determination.

Leading the charge for the Liberty was centre Jonquel Jones, who was celebrated with the Finals MVP award for her incredible performance throughout the series. Jones averaged 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds, showcasing her impressive shooting skills with a stunning 50/40/90 shooting split. Many consider her a key player who turned the tide for the Liberty, and she proved that hard work and perseverance in the face of prior failures are what champions are made of.

However, the victory was not without controversy. Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve was vocal in her belief that the championship was “stolen” from her team, raising questions about officiating during the intense overtime period. The debate over referee calls added a dash of drama to an already electrifying game, sparking conversations around accountability in officiating that could resonate through future seasons. Fans and analysts alike couldn’t help but talk about the supposed foul play, which only added fuel to the already fiery competition.

As the Liberty players raised the championship trophy, their history was not just defined by victory, but by the testament of overcoming past challenges. The New York Liberty attempted five times before to claim the championship, and their persistence has now found rewarding success. This championship could signify the dawn of a new era for the franchise and the WNBA at large.

Did you know that the New York Liberty is one of the league's oldest franchises, founded in 1997? Also, Jonquel Jones's remarkable 50/40/90 shooting split places her among the elite offensive players in the league, a feat only achieved by a select few in the history of basketball!

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Image courtesy of "CBC.ca"

New York Liberty win first WNBA championship with Game 5 OT win ... (CBC.ca)

The New York Liberty finally have a WNBA championship after beating the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime of a decisive Game 5 on Sunday night.

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Image courtesy of "CTV News"

New York Liberty win first WNBA championship, beating Minnesota ... (CTV News)

The New York Liberty finally have a WNBA championship after beating the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime of a decisive Game 5 on Sunday night.

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Image courtesy of "Sportsnet.ca"

Liberty centre Jonquel Jones takes home WNBA Finals MVP award (Sportsnet.ca)

Jones was handed the Finals MVP trophy for the first time in her career after averaging 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds in the finals while putting up 50/40/90 ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

WNBA finals Game 5: New York Liberty beat Minnesota Lynx in OT ... (The Guardian)

Minute-by-minute report: The Liberty claimed their first championship but Minnesota Lynx pushed them all the way in Brooklyn.

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Image courtesy of "Coast Reporter"

Coach Cheryl Reeve says WNBA title was 'stolen' from the Lynx (Coast Reporter)

NEW YORK (AP) — Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said the WNBA championship was “stolen” from the Lynx during her complaints about the officiating Sunday night.

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Image courtesy of "Chatham Daily News"

Coach says WNBA title 'stolen' from Bridget Carleton, Minnesota Lynx (Chatham Daily News)

As confetti fell and Frank Sinatra's “New York, New York” blared through the arena, the New York Liberty celebrated the end of a long odyssey.

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

The New York Liberty defeat the Minnesota Lynx to win its first ... (NPR)

After five previously unsuccessful tries to win the WNBA title, the Liberty finally claimed its first league title in a dramatic overtime thriller in the ...

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Image courtesy of "Delta-Optimist"

New York Liberty win first WNBA championship, beating Minnesota ... (Delta-Optimist)

NEW YORK (AP) — As confetti fell and Frank Sinatra's “New York, New York” blared through the arena, the New York Liberty celebrated the end of a long ...

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Image courtesy of "Toronto Star"

New York Liberty win first WNBA championship, more could be on ... (Toronto Star)

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu holds up the championship trophy after the Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA basketball final ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

LeBron James rips WNBA referees over controversial call in ... (The Guardian)

Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said the WNBA championship was “stolen” from the Lynx during her complaints about the officiating Sunday night.

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Image courtesy of "battlefordsNOW"

New York Liberty win first WNBA championship, beating Minnesota ... (battlefordsNOW)

Jonquel Jones scored 17 points to lead New York, which was one of the original franchises in the league. The Liberty made the WNBA Finals five times before, ...

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Image courtesy of "New York Liberty"

Liberty Earn Overtime Win in Game 5 for WNBA Championship (New York Liberty)

TEAM NOTABLES On Sunday, the New York Liberty (3-2) defeated the Minnesota Lynx (2-3), 67-62, in overtime to clinch the first WNBA Championship in franchise ...

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Image courtesy of "CBC.ca"

'Stolen from us': Record WNBA season ends on foul note after coach ... (CBC.ca)

A record-breaking season for the WNBA ended in controversy after the New York Liberty won the championship in a game Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve says was ...

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Image courtesy of "National Review"

WNBA Finals (National Review)

As I've mentioned before, I've acquired an interest in the WNBA after climbing aboard the Caitlin Clark bandwagon. So, I did something I never would have ...

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Image courtesy of "Iowa State University Athletics"

Carleton Ends Dazzling WNBA Season in Finals (Iowa State University Athletics)

Iowa State women's basketball alum Bridget Carleton (2016-19) became the first Cyclone in program history to compete in the WNBA finals. The No.

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Image courtesy of "New York Liberty"

New York Liberty Win First WNBA Championship in Franchise History (New York Liberty)

Tonight, the New York Liberty won the 2024 WNBA Championship after defeating the Minnesota Lynx, 67-62. The New York Liberty are an original franchise of ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

'Not that hard': Minnesota coach slams WNBA officiating after ... (The Guardian)

The Minnesota coach, Cheryl Reeve, said the WNBA championship was 'stolen' from her team during her complaints about the officiating.

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Image courtesy of "BNN"

WNBA Players Opt Out of Contract in Push for Higher Compensation (BNN)

After a fierce battle between the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx for the WNBA title, another fight is brewing in women's professional basketball.

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Image courtesy of "Toronto Star"

WNBA players union decides to opt out of current collective ... (Toronto Star)

The New York Liberty hold up the championship trophy after defeating the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA basketball final series, Sunday, Oct. 20, ...

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Image courtesy of "Sportico.com"

WNBPA Opts Out of WNBA CBA: Women's Basketball Stars Fight for ... (Sportico.com)

The Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) on Monday announced its decision to opt out of its collective bargaining agreement with the WNBA ...

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Image courtesy of "New York Liberty"

New York Liberty To Celebrate First WNBA Championship in ... (New York Liberty)

Fan celebration to take place Thursday evening at Barclays Center NEW YORK (Oct. 21, 2024) – This Thursday, Oct. 24, the New York Liberty will celebrate its ...

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

As the WNBA's historic season comes to an end, players say it's time ... (NPR)

Record-breaking TV ratings helped the WNBA secure a more lucrative media rights deal this year. Now, the players' union has opted out of its contract, ...

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Image courtesy of "CBC.ca"

WNBA players union opts out of current collective bargaining ... (CBC.ca)

The WNBA players union has decided to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement, two years before its expiration. The league and players union ...

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

The WNBA's Labor Battle – What Business Can Learn From ... (Forbes)

But as the players celebrate, a new challenge has arisen: the WNBA Players Association has opted out of its current collective bargaining agreement, two years ...

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

WNBA players opt out of CBA, which now will end after next season (USA TODAY)

The move has been expected for months. The WNBA has experienced explosive growth this season, yet players' share of league revenue lags far behind.

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Image courtesy of "ESPN"

Sources: Nike reaches a 12-year extension with NBA, WNBA - ESPN (ESPN)

Nike has reached a 12-year contract extension agreement with the NBA and WNBA to continue to be the official global outfitter for the professional ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

WNBA players opt out of CBA as TV audience and attendances surge (The Guardian)

The WNBA players union has decided to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement, two years before its expiration.

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Image courtesy of "NBA.com"

Nike signs 12-year partnership extension with NBA, WNBA and G ... (NBA.com)

Nike will continue to design and manufacture NBA, WNBA and G League uniforms and on-court apparel through 2037.

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Image courtesy of "Sportico.com"

Inside the WNBA Players' Opt Out Decision and Salary Cap Debate (Sportico.com)

Jackson said she spoke with both Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier—WNBPA VPs who concluded their WNBA Finals battle Sunday night, about the decision to make ...

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo Canada Sports"

New York Liberty win first WNBA championship, beating Minnesota ... (Yahoo Canada Sports)

NEW YORK (AP) — As confetti fell and Frank Sinatra's “New York, New York” blared through the arena, the New York Liberty celebrated the end of a long ...

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Image courtesy of "oregonlive.com"

Nike renews uniform deals with WNBA and NBA through 2037 (oregonlive.com)

The sportswear company will continue to make uniforms, as well as fan apparel.

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Image courtesy of "Sportsnet.ca"

WNBA Finals Game 5 Takeaways: Liberty finally reach the top after ... (Sportsnet.ca)

After 28 years of falling short of expectations, settling for second place and watching others celebrate, New York can finally reclaim basketball as theirs, ...

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Liberty finally get it done, top Lynx in overtime for first WNBA ... (CBS News)

NY Liberty ticker tape parade coming to Canyon of Heroes · Liberty beat Lynx to win 2024 WNBA Finals.

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