Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones Lead New York Liberty to Team's First WNBA Championship

Mar. 15, 2025

New York Liberty.Photo:David Dow/NBAE via Getty

David Dow/NBAE via Getty

The New York Liberty have clinched their first WNBA championship in franchise history!

It was a victory that was 28 years in the making. The Liberty have made five prior appearances in the WNBA finals, but have come up short of the title each year: 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2023.

“You need a little bit of luck on your side, but you also need talent,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said after the win,The New York Timesreported. “Now we are going to go in the history books as the first ever. That makes me very proud.”

Jones, 30, was named finals MVP after posting 17points and six rebounds. “Her dominance in the paint, on the boards, help-side defense, everything that we needed, she was there,” Stewart said of Jones after the win,the Associated Press reported. “She had to wait a while to get to this point, to get to the finals to win a championship. But the wait was worth it.”

Jonquel Jones, left.David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty

David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty

Among the stars sitting courtside to witness the milestone moment wereAubrey Plaza,Jason Sudeikis,Robin Roberts,Spike LeeandJadakiss.

(L-R) Marta Xargay Casademont and Breanna Stewart with their son, Theo.Elsa/Getty

Elsa/Getty

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Sabrina Ionescu.Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty

Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty

Ionescu, 26, had a tough outing in the championship win after more dominant outings earlier in the season and was held to just 5 points, but she secured her first WNBA title. In 2020, the Liberty drafted Ionescu first overall in the draft.

The Liberty star — whomarried football player Hroniss Gruin the offseason — had her husband and members of her family at the arena to witness her first WNBA championship.

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert presented players and staff from the Liberty organization with their championship trophy on the floor at the Barclays Center.

source: people.com