Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally win the WNBA championship with the New York Liberty. It is the first major title for the athletes from Bavaria and Berlin.
First Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” boomed through the arena during the confetti rain, then Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally became party animals after their historic triumph with ski goggles, championship shirt and champagne shower. The German national players won the title in the best women’s basketball league in the world for the first time – and played a major role in their New York Liberty’s debut title in the dramatic final game “All or nothing”.
“When Dirk Nowitzki won the championship, he sang “We are the Champions” really badly. We won’t do that,” said Fiebich with a laugh after the decisive 67:62 (27:34, 60:60) after extra time in front of his home crowd against the Minnesota Lynx. And Germany’s retired basketball superstar immediately sent congratulations via X: “Congratulations to Leonie and Nyara on the championship!!! Have a nice celebration!!!”
The club from the Big Apple finally ended its final curse at the sixth attempt and after a 27-year odyssey – thanks in part to the German duo. That scored very important points in extra time in the last final game. The championship of the North American women’s league WNBA and with it the first title in the club’s history was hard to beat in terms of drama over the entire duration.
Drama, redemption and tears of joy
Because for the first time since 2019, the finals lasted five games. All five duels were decided in the final seconds, including two overtimes and a last-second throw. This gave the league record ratings. The final in New York was watched by 18,090 fans in the sold-out Barcleys Center.
“I’ve worked for moments like this my whole life. Here at home, game five, that means the world to me,” said Sabally (24), while the fans loudly chanted her name. Seconds later, her older sister Satou (26) fell into her arms and tears of joy flowed.
Sabally was instrumental in the New York comeback. The 24-year-old gave Liberty their first lead in the 27th minute after the hosts had been up by twelve points in the first half. Sabally scored nine points in the last three and a half minutes of the third quarter.
German duo with very important actions
Fiebich opened the extra time with a successful three-pointer, and in the final seconds she stole the ball from Minnesota when it was thrown in, thus securing the victory. Sabally scored New York’s second basket in overtime after winning the ball and blocked a Minnesota throw at 65:62.
“This championship ring is for my whole family, especially Satou. She’s always been by my side through my ups and downs – and I’ve had a lot of downs,” Sabally said.
Pride among sisters
“The whole arena is chanting Sabally. So proud of my little sister, she’s been through so much and deserves the world,” wrote Satou Sabally, who plays in the WNBA for the Dallas Wings, on X during the game.
She was referring to her sister’s serious injuries. Nyara Sabally tore her cruciate ligament twice, which meant she started her professional career in New York a year late. Sabally played one of her best games of the season in the decisive championship game; like Fiebich, she scored a total of 13 points and seven rebounds. Now, thanks to their triumph, both of them will also experience a championship parade through the city that never sleeps. The last time a German, Marlies Askamp, won the WNBA title with the Los Angeles Sparks was in 2002.
Leonie Fiebich crowns a fantastic year
With the championship, Fiebich crowned an individually fantastic year: in April she was named the best player in the Spanish league for the second time in a row. With the German selection she made it – together with Nyara Sabally – to the quarter-finals at the Olympic premiere. And in her first season in the WNBA, the 24-year-old established herself in the Liberty’s starting lineup over the course of the season and set several rookie records.
“To be honest, I can’t even realize what has happened in the last few months,” said Fiebich. “We had big goals: with the national team and the Liberty. I’m just proud to have achieved these goals.”
The Liberty achieved their goal of the championship thanks to Fiebich: in the second final they hit the decisive three-pointer. Fiebich averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in the finals, which speaks for her versatility. “She’s probably the best thrower on our team. And in defense she can take on an opponent across the entire field. And it seems like she doesn’t even break a sweat,” Liberty star player Sabrina Ionescu praised her teammate before the final series.
There was also big praise from the national coach: “It’s a great day for German basketball. Both Leo and Nyara continue to make history,” said Lisa Thomaidis, commenting on the triumph. “It’s just unbelievable. New York won’t win this fifth game without both of their performances. I’m incredibly proud.”
