For the first time in their franchise history, the New York Liberty are WNBA champions.

In a hard-fought Game 5 against the Minnesota Lynx Sunday (Oct. 20), the Liberty secured a 67-62 overtime victory to clinch that title. The team’s center, Jonquel Jones, scored 17 points to lead them that night and was named the WNBA Finals MVP after averaging 17.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists throughout the series. 

Reflecting on her journey, Jones said, “Y’all know my story. Y’all know how many times I’ve been denied. But it was delayed — that’s all it was — and I’m so happy to do it here.” 

This win is particularly significant, as the Liberty had previously reached the WNBA Finals five times, including in the league's inaugural season in 1997 and just last year, but had never claimed the trophy.

The championship also ends a long drought for New York, marking the city’s first basketball title since the Nets' ABA victory in 1976.