No. 1 NY Liberty top No. 2 Minnesota Lynx 67–62 in overtime, win first WNBA championship

The GIST: As you read, the No. 1 NY Liberty are finally WNBA champions, topping the No. 2 Minnesota Lynx 67–62 in overtime (OT) last night to win the franchise’s first-ever title, a feat 28 seasons in the making. You know what they say: sixth time’s the charm.

Liberty overcome early deficit to claim the crown: After trailing by as many as 12 following a frenzied first half, Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello shook things up, sending out a lineup that had never played together — and it worked.

• 2024 Finals MVP Jonquel Jones (17 points) held steady, while Nyara Sabally contributed 13 points off the bench, making up for lackluster scoring nights from superteam stalwarts Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu.

• Overall, this was a physical, back-and-forth battle that wasn’t without controversy. The Lynx’s Napheesa Collier (22 points, seven rebounds) and Kayla McBride (21 points) kept Minnesota in the game, but in the end, Minnesota’s six OT turnovers cost them the ’ship.

• Until last night, the Libs were the only original WNBA franchise still in existence without a title, hence the storied superteam overhaul that began in 2023. Two seasons of chemistry-building later, NY has added its name to hoops history. Swish swish.

Zooming out: The W welcomed countless new fans during this record-after-record-breaking season, partially due to the hype around the incredible rookie class. But in the end, it was the league’s established superstars, like Collier, Stewart, and Ionescu, who made this five-game series must-watch tv, setting (and breaking) multiple viewership records from start to finish.

• And the season may be officially over, but don’t expect these hoopers to stay out of the headlines for long.

• The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (the players union) has until November 1st to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement, and with the W more popular than ever, it’s widely expected that the players will head to the negotiating table. Cha-ching.