The New York Liberty clinched their first-ever WNBA championship, defeating the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in an overtime thriller on Sunday night at Barclays Center.
The win secured a historic moment for the franchise, and the team celebrated the achievement on "Good Morning America" the following day, reflecting on their journey and expressing gratitude to their fans.
“It feels amazing,” said WNBA Finals MVP and star center Jonquel Jones, who was pivotal in the victory. “Walking around Brooklyn, everyone was talking about the games and wanting to bring a championship to New York. The energy from our fans in the stadium made the win even more special.”
This title marked Jones' fourth WNBA Finals appearance, but her first championship win. The 30-year-old, originally from the Bahamas, expressed deep appreciation for the sacrifices made throughout her career. “A lot of people sacrificed for me to be able to do this,” she said. “To finally win it with these amazing ladies and bring it home for the city is incredible.”
Star guard Sabrina Ionescu, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2020, said this championship was the moment she had been dreaming of. "To see how far we’ve come in such a short time and to do this for each other and for the organization that believed in us from the beginning—it feels amazing," Ionescu said. One of her key highlights was a half-court shot in Game 3 that kept the Liberty's championship hopes alive when the series was tied.
Breanna Stewart, a two-time WNBA MVP and team forward, reflected on her redemption after missing crucial free throws earlier in the series. "I just knew my team had my back," she said. "When your team trusts and believes in you, it gives you even more confidence."
Nyara Sabally, Ionescu’s former Oregon teammate, also played a key role in the victory, coming off the bench to score 13 points, grab seven rebounds, and record a steal. "I always say my teammates make it easy," Sabally said. "I just stayed mentally and physically ready to do what needed to be done."
The Liberty's championship run captured national attention, with fans of all ages cheering them on throughout the season. Ionescu emphasized the impact on the younger generation: “That’s why we do what we do—to inspire the next generation. Seeing all the young faces in the stands gave us even more motivation."
Reflecting on the emotional celebration, Ionescu added, “Everyone was crying, everyone stayed to watch us celebrate. To see kids dreaming of winning a championship because they watched us do it—that’s the most important part of all this.”
The Liberty have solidified their place in WNBA history, both as champions and as role models for future generations.