The New York Liberty have defeated the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime of game five to win their first WNBA title. After losing five times in the Finals, most recently last season, their status as the only original WNBA team without a title is wiped clean.
The basketball community, however, has been buzzing about this game for a different reason.
TOP NEWS
With 6.3 seconds left in regulation, the Lynx had a 60-58 lead as New York’s Breanna Stewart caught the ball near the free throw line, made a move towards the rim that many believe was a travel, before taking a heavily contested floater and getting a foul call. The contact on the play was marginal, yet after further review the officials upheld the call, much to the dismay of Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve and the team. Stewart made both free throws to tie the game and send it to overtime where the Liberty would capitalize on their momentum to secure the five-point win.
“That was not a foul,” Reeve said after the game. “I know all the headlines will be ‘Reeve cries foul’. Bring it on. Bring it on, because that s**t was stolen from us.”
RELATED: A’ja Wilson named unanimous 2024 WNBA MVP
L.A. Lakers superstar LeBron James was among the NBA stars that took to social media to express their thoughts on the call.
“I’m sorry but that wasn’t a foul! Let the damn players dictate the outcome of a close battled tested game.” James posted to X.
The Liberty ultimately shot 25 free throws while the Lynx only shot eight. It’s unfortunate that such a historic season for the WNBA came to an end with such controversy and confusion.
James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
