(New York) The New York Liberty were crowned at the end of the suspense, thanks to a 67-62 victory after overtime against the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA finals Sunday at home.
Published at 6:15 a.m.
After five finals lost since the creation of the WNBA in 1996, including last year against Las Vegas, the Liberty finally broke its curse after a decisive match with breathtaking suspense.
New York was able to overcome a poor start to the match and the total shooting failure of its leaders Breanna Stewart (4 out of 15) and Sabrina Ionescu (1 out of 19 including 1 out of 10 from distance) to dominate the Lynx, who hoped to win their 5e trophy.
Overwhelmed at the start of the match and unable to score from afar, New York returned to the game with options to play inside, notably with Jonquel Jones (17 points, 6 rebounds), named MVP of the finals.
PHOTO PAMELA SMITH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jonquel Jones
The Liberty thus regained control during the 3rde quarter-time, won 20 to 10, but Minnesota remained in the race, offering a 4e unbreathable quarter in the superb atmosphere of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
A few seconds after missing two free throws, Stewart caught herself at the line to tie the score at 60-60, respond to a new basket from Napheesa Collier (22 points) and snatch overtime, missing Kayla McBride (21 points). the match point from afar.
Leonie Fiebich (13 points) freed the Liberty by scoring three points at the start of overtime (2e and last shot from distance for the Liberty of the entire match!), then dominated by its formation.
