New York Claims First WNBA Championship After Five Finals Losses

NEW YORK -- The New York Liberty has achieved their first WNBA championship title after previously falling short in five finals appearances.

As one of the original franchises since the league's inception in 1997, the Liberty have faced various playoff formats, including one-game, best-of-three, and best-of-five series. Their championship journey this time required five games, including a thrilling overtime victory against the Minnesota Lynx.

Here’s a recap of their past championship appearances:

• 1997 Finals: The Liberty lost to the Houston Comets, largely due to league MVP Cynthia Cooper, who scored 25 points. New York was unable to overcome a 10-0 run by the Comets, ultimately losing 65-51, with Kym Hampton leading the Liberty with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
• 1999 Finals: This series was intensely competitive. The Liberty lost the first game at home but managed to tie the series with a buzzer-beater by Teresa Weatherspoon. Sadly, they fell short again in the deciding game by 12 points.
• 2000 Finals: In their third encounter with Houston, the Liberty struggled early and lost a close Game 1. Although they fought hard in Game 2, including a dramatic back-and-forth, they were defeated in overtime.
• 2001 Finals: New York faced the Los Angeles Sparks but lost after a last-second three-pointer by Nikki Teasley secured the victory, marking two consecutive titles for the Sparks.

Fast forward to this season, the Liberty embarked on a challenging playoff run, starting with two losses against the Las Vegas Aces. However, they regained momentum with a pivotal win at home, ultimately overcoming significant challenges and injuries to clinch their historic championship.

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