New York Liberty Claims First W.N.B.A. Championship
As the final seconds ticked away on the clock, Breanna Stewart turned to her teammate Jonquel Jones, and the two embraced in a long-awaited championship hug. Streamers cascaded down from the rafters, while thousands of jubilant fans erupted in cheers, dancing and capturing the moment on their phones.
The long-anticipated victory was finally at hand. On Sunday, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the New York Liberty—one of the league’s original teams—secured their inaugural championship title by defeating the Minnesota Lynx, 67-62, in a thrilling overtime showdown. This victory clinched the best-of-five series, culminating in a final tally of 3 games to 2.
New York City could finally celebrate a basketball championship in the 21st century. After enduring more than 25 years of near misses across four different home arenas, the Liberty will proudly hang a championship banner at Barclays Center, their current venue. In honor of their historic achievement, various city buildings will be illuminated in the team’s distinctive color, Liberty “sea foam,” and Mayor Eric Adams has pledged a celebratory parade for the team and its fans.
“To be able to bring a championship to New York, the first ever in franchise history, is an incredible feeling,” said Stewart, a native of North Syracuse, N.Y. “I literally can’t wait to continue to celebrate with the city because it’s going to be absolutely bonkers.”
This championship not only marks a significant milestone for the Liberty but also ends a lengthy drought for professional basketball in the New York area. Their victory represents the first championship for any major pro basketball team in New York since the New York Nets won the final title of the now-defunct American Basketball Association in 1976, before it merged with the N.B.A. the following season.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks have not claimed an N.B.A. championship since 1973, which was over 50 years ago. While both the Knicks and, to a lesser extent, the Nets—who also call Barclays Center home—continue their quests for a championship trophy, it was the Liberty who triumphed, thanks to a talented and tenacious roster that withstood a fierce challenge from Minnesota.