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Breanna Stewart, Liberty Celebrated By Fans for 1st-Ever WNBA Title Win vs. Lynx

Andrew Peters

At long last, the WNBA champion resides in New York City.

The New York Liberty won a winner-takes-all Game 5 over the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime on Sunday to claim their first title in franchise history in their sixth trip to the WNBA Finals.

Breanna Stewart had the chance to tie the game at the free throw line with less than a minute to play, but missed both to allow Minnesota to put the game away. The Lynx couldn't capitalize and Stewart once again went to the line on the other end, this time the stakes much higher with less than 10 seconds to play.

She got her redemption, making both free throws to make it 60-60. The Lynx's game-winning shot attempt missed, sending things to overtime—a fitting place for a game with such intensity.

There were just nine points scored between both teams in a scrappy, defensive overtime battle, but the Liberty walked away as champions after Stewart sealed the game at the free throw line.

After the win, fans praised New York for bouncing back from last year's WNBA Finals loss with a championship.

It wasn't the best night for the Liberty's stars as Stewart had just 13 points and Sabrina Ionescu had just five, but stout defense and a strong supporting cast willed New York to the win.

Jonquel Jones led the way for the Liberty with her 17 points and six rebounds, and she was awarded with a WNBA Finals MVP trophy.

   

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