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New York wins its first WNBA championship after losing its five previous Finals appearances
NEW YORK (AP) The New York Liberty won their first WNBA championship after losing within the title round of their previous five appearances.
As the unique franchise when the league resulted in 1997, the Liberty team competed in a one-game, best-of-three and best-of-three format. It took somewhat longer because New York needed five games and extra time to beat Minnesota.
Here are their previous championship performances:
1997 lost to Houston in a single game
The Liberty lost the inaugural championship because they’d no answer for league MVP Cynthia Cooper. She scored 14 of her 25 points within the second half – the league then played two halves. The Comets used a 10-0 run to begin a detailed game. Tina Thompson added 18 points within the 65-51 victory. Kym Hampton had 13 points and 13 rebounds to guide New York.
1999 lost to Houston in three games
The 1999 Finals were the tightest of the three meetings between Houston and New York, with Liberty forcing a three-game sweep. New York lost the first half at home and faced the difficult task of winning two games in Houston within the title fight. Everyone looked lost when Thompson made a shot with 2.4 seconds left to offer the Comets a 67-65 lead. Teresa Weatherspoon received the pass from the court, dribbled to half court and lifted the ball up, turn it on with the buzzer even to a best-of-seven series against Houston. Less than 24 hours later, within the deciding game, Liberty lost to the Comets by 12 points.
2000 lost to Houston in two games
The third time wasn’t the charm for Liberty, which lost to Houston for the third time in 4 years. Liberty lost the first game at home, quickly losing their advantage. They were losing 29-22 at halftime and 10 in the beginning of the second half, then with 52 seconds left they reduced the rating to 52-50 after two free throws made by Weatherspoon. Unfortunately, Cooper responded with a three-pointer 26 seconds later. New York gave all the things it had within the second game before it went to extra time. In that period, New York led 64-61 with 21 seconds left before Cooper hit a game-ending three-pointer. In extra time, Sue Wicks hit a 3-pointer with 2:14 left to offer New York a 70-69 lead, and Houston scored 10 of the ultimate 13 points to seal the title.
2002 lost to Los Angeles in two games
New York lost the first home game despite 18 points from Becky Hammon. The second game was tied with 2.1 seconds left. Nikki Teasley hit a three-pointer to offer the Sparks the lead. Weatherspoon attempted one other half-court shot on the buzzer, but her shot was blocked, and the Sparks won their second straight title, a feat that will not be achieved until the Las Vegas Aces achieved it in 2022 and 2023.
2023 lost to Las Vegas in 4 games
Lay the inspiration for this yr’s championship. Liberty went on the road, losing the first two games in Las Vegas before returning home. They won the third game and it looked just like the tide had turned of their favor after injuries to Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes. New York trailed 70-64 with 1:27 left before coming back inside one. They couldn’t cross the chasm.