New York Liberty Wins 2024 WNBA Finals

The New York Liberty clinched their first WNBA championship with a 67-62 overtime victory over the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the Finals. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve expressed her outrage over officiating, claiming the title was 'stolen' from her team, highlighting a critical foul called on Alanna Smith late in regulation that allowed Breanna Stewart to tie the game with free throws. Reeve criticized the disparity in foul calls, noting the Lynx were whistled for 19 fouls compared to the Liberty's 12, resulting in New York attempting 23 free throws versus only six for Minnesota. Despite the controversy, Liberty coach Sandy Brondello defended the officiating as fair. The game was marked by intense physical play, with the Lynx struggling offensively in overtime, failing to score until late in the period. This final match reignited discussions about officiating standards in high-stakes games.