Queens of New York
By Jamila Roxas
On October 20, 2024, The New York Liberty clinched their first WNBA championship in an exhilarating 5 game series against the Minnesota Lynx.
The New York Liberty, founded in 1997, was one of the eight original WNBA teams. Appearing in a total of 18 playoff games before winning its very first championship, the Liberty franchise had dealt with years of trials and tribulations.
The team's win over the Minnesota Lynx marked a historic triumph for the team.
The Liberty finished the regular season 32-8, putting them as the number one ranked team in the league. With a team as versatile and talented as they are, this road to victory was not an easy stretch for the franchise.
Just a little bit over a year ago, the Liberty lost to the Las Vegas Aces in a four-game series ending what many had thought should have been their year. With all eyes on the WNBA this past season, the Liberty were hungry to seek their first franchise win.
Under the leadership of Coach Sandy Brondello, the Liberty built one of the most formidable rosters in the WNBA. The trio of Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones set the tone for the Liberty acting as one of the most dynamic trios in the league.
Sabrina Ionescu was drafted first overall to the New York Liberty in 2020. Known for her adventurous shooting abilities, Ionescu averaged 18.2 points per game during the regular season on 33.3% from three-point range.
During the Liberty’s playoff run, she shot an astonishing 36.3% from beyond the arc including a number of arena-silencing threes. Aside from her shooting, Ionescu displayed astounding court vision as she averaged 6.2 assists per game.
Breanna Stewart on the other hand made history during the playoffs. Stewart became the first WNBA player to record multiple playoff games with 30 or more points as well as 10 or more rebounds.
Stewart, drafted in 2016 to the Seattle Storm, was traded to the New York Liberty in 2023. Prior to being traded, Stewart already had one of the most impressive basketball resumè's coming out of college. She won four straight titles with the University of Connecticut Huskies as well as two championships with the Seattle Storm.
Stewart already having several championship experiences brought an extra level of depth and hunger to this New York Liberty team.
Finals MVP, Jonquel Jones contributed in many different ways. Out of the three, Jones stayed the most consistent in all categories across the board.
During the postseason, Jones averaged 15.5 points per game, 8.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Her ability to stay uniform made her an offensive and defensive threat on the court, being able to make plays on both ends of the game.
Beyond the star-studded trio that consisted of Ionescu, Stewart and Jones, the Liberty possessed a deeper roster behind them. Some other crucial playmakers in the Liberty’s first championship win were Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Courtney Vandersloot and Leonie Fiebich.
The Liberty’s victory was not just about the trophy, rather relaying a bigger message: It was a symbol of the rise of women’s sports in the big apple. The WNBA was the epicenter of the rise of women's sports this year.
With the 2024 rookie class bringing in a wide range of talent, it helped to shed light on all aspects of the WNBA.
The Liberty’s championship marked a turning point for the league and the entirety of the women’s basketball world. This victory was more than just a game. It displayed the talent, passion and athleticism of female athletes.
In 2019, The Liberty was playing in front of crowds that had less than 2,000 people at the Westchester County Center. Fast forwarding to this year's playoffs, more than 181,000 fans showed up for the WNBA finals at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The Liberty were not just a team anymore; they were a movement, displaying a new era of women's sports through the city of New York. This championship run was a testament to the state itself, deeming the New York Liberty as the new queens of New York City.