The New York Liberty are WNBA Champions 2024! In an intense encounter, the Liberty from the Big Apple were able to prevail against the Lynx from Minnesota and secure their first ever championship at home at the Barclays Center.
Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally with strong performances in the decisive overtime. They are also the first German WNBA champions. A historic finals run with a happy ending.
Crunchtime
In exactly this crunch time, namely overtime of an all-important Game 5, Fiebich and Sabally were able to present themselves the strongest and helped their team with many hustle plays, points, rebounds, steals, blocks and an important 3-pointer from Fiebich.
This means the full package that a coach could only wish for in such a crucial phase. With the associated hardness.
An intense energy and, above all, willpower that ultimately helped her team where it counted.
In the finals.
In der Overtime.
Fiebich, who has performed more than convincingly for both DBB and Liberty throughout the season, was once again able to confirm her exceptional qualities as a reliable all-rounder. In again well over 35 minutes of playing time, she was able to put 13 points, 2 steals, 1 assist and 7 rebounds on the scoreboard.
In doing so, she once again confirmed her leading role as a solid and, above all, reliable, versatile component of a tight and relatively small playoff rotation.
Although she showed strong nerves from the free throw line on all four attempts, her evening was not characterized by efficient shooting. Nevertheless, she was able to start overtime with a successful 3-pointer and massively increase the pressure on the Lynx.
Hustleplay and Showtime by Nyara Sabally
What followed in this overtime were the minutes of a real fight for the WNBA crown. Game 5 and thus the decisive game was characterized by high defensive intensity and a certain nervousness. Typical final game.
The overtime after Fiebich’s 3 was all the more typical for a Final Game 5. And how.
The intensity and tension was palpable and that was exactly where the big moment for the two German players came. Not too shy of the moment. Incredibly strong mentally and with the necessary will for such a situation.
Both Sabally and Fiebich stepped up defensively and offensively in overtime and played a key role in their team’s success. With rebounds, stls and a very important layup from Sabally, the pressure was further increased on the Lynx, who were visibly impressed with every second deeper into overtime.
Nyara Sabally, who has not played as big a role in the rotation as Fiebich, was able to bring the X factor to the floor for Liberty. With several hustle plays, intense defense, almost too hard work, Sabally provided the bite of a champion. Including her almost decisive block with a minute on the clock.
This laid the foundation for finally buying the edge out of the Lynx.
And ultimately help BOTH the Liberty, as well as himself and Leonie Fiebich, to their first title. The historic first championship for everyone involved.
It is quite telling that Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally were both Liberty’s secret weapons in this game to be able to break Liberty’s “curse”.
No, it was Fiebich who was the last player to have the ball after the two final, successful Stewart free throws a few seconds before the end, thus ending the last possession of this WNBA season in her hands. Let’s hope she was allowed to take the ball with her.
Title premieres and exclamation marks
It was a hail of firsts when it came to titles.
For the New York Liberty, without a title since the beginning of the league.
As a founding member of the WNBA.
Despite participating in multiple finals.
For Nyara Sabally and Leonie Fiebich, who are the first WNBA champions from Germany.
AND also put the NEXT and HUGE exclamation point for German basketball.
Men’s World Champion.
Gold medal for the 3×3 women.
Both DBB selection teams have come further at the Olympics than ever before.
And now also a crucial part in Liberty’s first WNBA championship.
WOW!
What a phase for German basketball. Historical times.
