Brianna Stewart, a key player for the New York Liberty, displayed remarkable composure under pressure, guiding her team to a nail-biting 67-62 overtime win against the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday, marking the team’s first championship title.
Stewart contributed 13 points in the match and confidently sank two free throws during overtime to secure the victory. She expressed a strong desire to take the shot, particularly after a missed crucial free throw in Game 1, which resulted in an overtime loss to the Lynx.
“We faced a similar scenario to what we encountered in Game 1, and we corrected our mistakes to avoid a repeat,” Stewart shared on Monday alongside her teammates Sabrina Ionescu, Leonie Fievic, and Ivana. Their comments came during an appearance on “TODAY with Hoda & Jenna” with Dožikic, Kayla Thornton, and Nyara Sabally.
Explore more sports news on NBC
A two-time WNBA MVP, Stewart previously led the Seattle Storm to two championships and earned the WNBA Finals MVP title before joining the Liberty. In the moment, she aimed to keep her mindset straightforward. “I focused on my routine and stayed positive, reminding myself that if I made one, the next would follow. I knew my teammates were right behind me the whole time,” she reflected.
Since signing with the Liberty as a free agent ahead of the 2023 season, Stewart described leading her team to victory at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center as a dream come true.
“It feels amazing. This moment has finally arrived after all our hard work, and to celebrate in Brooklyn at Barclays is absolutely incredible,” she expressed.
The Liberty’s victory signifies New York’s first professional basketball championship since 1976 when the New Jersey Nets, led by Julius Erving, took home the ABA title.
The Liberty has appeared in the WNBA Finals a total of six times since the league’s inception in 1997, but this is their first championship victory—an achievement that has greatly increased the team’s popularity, particularly influenced by the attention garnered from Caitlin Clark’s performances throughout the season. Ionescu elaborated on the significance of their win.
“The joy it brings not only to us and our team but also to the entire city is remarkable. Seeing the support at the venue throughout the year meant so much to us. That’s why we were so thrilled to play at home in front of the fans who have cheered us on,” she added.
