Oct 21, V7N- The New York Liberty clinched their first WNBA title with a dramatic 67-62 overtime win over the Minnesota Lynx in Game Five in Brooklyn. Jonquel Jones, who was named Finals MVP, led the top-seeded Liberty with 17 points, helping them overcome a slow start to deny the Lynx their record fifth championship. Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, both gold medalists at the Paris Olympics, played crucial roles despite early struggles. Stewart, who missed key free throws late in regulation, redeemed herself in overtime with clutch shots to seal the win.

Ionescu's timely three-pointer late in the fourth quarter gave the Liberty a crucial four-point lead, but the game remained tight, with Stewart forcing overtime by hitting key free throws. In overtime, a three-pointer by Leonie Fiebich put the Liberty ahead for good, and Nyara Sabally extended their lead. Stewart's free throws in the final seconds secured the championship, a year after the Liberty's heartbreaking loss in the finals.

The Liberty, who had missed their first 16 three-point attempts and trailed for much of the game, found their rhythm in the third quarter. A brilliant pass from Ionescu to Sabally gave New York its first lead, energizing the home crowd. Jones, who averaged 17.8 points in the Finals, credited the team's unity and focus in the championship moment. The hard-fought series capped a season of rising WNBA popularity, highlighted by standout performances like those of Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark.

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