The New York Liberty celebrated their historic WNBA championship win during a special “Good Morning America” appearance in Times Square this morning. The team clinched their first title by defeating the Minnesota Lynx in a thrilling Game 5 of the series, marking a monumental moment in franchise history.
Forward Jonquel Jones expressed her excitement: “To feel the energy of the stadium and our fans, and then to be able to win…it was an amazing experience. This is my fourth WNBA Finals, and finally, I get to win it and do it with these amazing ladies for the city.”
Sabrina Ionescu shared her thoughts on the team’s journey, saying, “To see how far we’ve come in such a short amount of time—doing this for each other and for the organization that has believed in us since the beginning. You can’t really put it into words. It feels amazing.” Reflecting on the pivotal shot she made that extended the series, Ionescu added, “I’m really glad it went in because all I’ve been saying is I want to make sure that shot counts, and winning has just made that shot count.”
Brianna Stewart, who played a crucial role in the championship victory, emphasized the importance of teamwork and trust. “I just know my team had my back. Whether it was in Game 1 or missing two shots earlier, it was just a moment, an opportunity that I couldn’t let pass by. When your team trusts and believes in you, it gives you even more confidence.”
The Minnesota Lynx pulled off one of the largest comebacks in WNBA Finals history, defeating the New York Liberty 95-93 in overtime to take Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Finals. Down by 18 points early in the second quarter, the Lynx fought back multiple times throughout the game.
After cutting New York’s lead to two points in the third quarter, Minnesota faced a 15-point deficit with just five minutes remaining in the fourth. But the Lynx stormed back with an 18-2 run, capped by a four-point play from Courtney Williams, giving them their first lead with 5.5 seconds left. Breanna Stewart’s free throws sent the game to overtime, but Minnesota continued to battle.
Down four in the final minute of OT, New York rallied with steals and layups from Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones to tie the game. But with 8.8 seconds left, Lynx star Napheesa Collier hit a tough fadeaway jumper to seal the win. Stewart missed a layup on New York’s final possession, and Minnesota took Game 1.
Courtney Williams (23 points), Kayla McBride (22 points), and Collier (21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 blocks) led the Lynx, who now have a 74% chance to win the title, as teams that win Game 1 have done so 20 of 27 times. Collier’s performance puts her in elite company, joining Lisa Leslie and Sylvia Fowles as one of the few players with 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 5+ blocks in a Finals game.
In seeking its first-ever WNBA title, New York was led by Jonquel Jones (24 points) while Stewart and Ionescu struggled with 29.8% shooting.
The New York Liberty secured their place in the 2024 WNBA Finals with a 76-62 victory over the Las Vegas Aces, winning the series 3-1. Sabrina Ionescu, bouncing back from a career-low four points in Game 3, led the way with 22 points and five 3-pointers in the series-clinching win. Breanna Stewart filled the stat sheet for New York with 19 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks, while Jonquel Jones added 14 points. Rookie Leonie Fiebich contributed 11 points and seven rebounds, finishing as a plus-28 in 28 minutes.
The Aces, aiming for a historic three-peat, saw their 12-game home playoff win streak snapped. Despite the loss, unanimous MVP A’ja Wilson delivered a strong performance, leading the Aces with 19 points, ten rebounds, and five blocks.
With the win, the Liberty return to the WNBA Finals for the second straight year and sixth time in franchise history, now just three wins away from their first-ever WNBA championship. As the No. 1 seed, they will host Game 1 of the Finals on Thursday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn (8 PM ET, ESPN).
The New York Liberty made a statement in Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Semifinals, defeating the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 87-77 at home on Sunday. Nearly a year after the Aces ended the Liberty’s season by clinching back-to-back titles in the 2023 Finals, New York came out determined, led by stellar performances from Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones.
Stewart, who finished with 34 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals, was unstoppable from the start, putting up 20 points by halftime. “I wanted to come out and set the tone, be aggressive, and take what the defense was giving me,” Stewart said after the game. Her offensive dominance helped New York build an early double-digit lead, and they never looked back.
Ionescu added 21 points and five assists, while Jones contributed a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, solidifying New York’s advantage over the Aces.
Reflecting on last year’s Finals loss, Stewart noted her growth since that defeat. “I’ve just kind of grown from it, had a lot of time to reflect on it—how I can be better, how to handle things collectively better. I don’t forget who I am and what I can do.”
The Liberty holds a 1-0 series lead as they aim to dethrone the Aces and move closer to their first WNBA Championship. Game 2 of the Semifinals is set for later this week in New York.
In a team loaded with WNBA stars, the last two MVPs shone brightest for Team USA in their 102-76 win over Japan in the Group Phase opener. The game, a rematch of the 2021 Gold Medal Game, saw A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart dominate, combining for 46 points. Wilson posted 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks, while Stewart added 22 points and 8 rebounds, leveraging their size advantage against Japan.
Brittney Griner supported their efforts, who grabbed nine rebounds and 3 assists, and Sabrina Ionescu hit three 3-pointers and dished out five assists. Kelsey Plum also contributed 11 points and 3 assists. The Americans shot an impressive 54.6% from the field and assisted on 35 of their 38 baskets, achieving a remarkable 92.1% assist rate. Chelsea Gray was pivotal in orchestrating the offense, with 13 assists in just 20 minutes.
Veteran Diana Taurasi made history by stepping onto the court for her sixth consecutive Olympic Games, the most in Women’s Basketball history, first appearing in Athens in 2004. She added 2 points and 3 rebounds in the win.
Japan managed to stay within reach during the first half, trailing 22-15 after the first quarter and 50-39 at halftime. However, the USA pulled away in the second half. Mai Yamamoto stood out for Japan, hitting 5-of-11 from three-point range, finishing with more threes than the entire USA squad, who shot just 4-of-20 from deep. Japan ended the game shooting 15-of-39 (38.5%) from beyond the arc.
The USA extended its Olympic win streak to 56 games with this victory. Next, the Americans will face Belgium on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, while Japan will take on Germany at 5 a.m. ET.
PUMA Hoops has had a busy last few weeks with exciting drops with WNBA power forward Breanna Stewart (who will be wearing her latest Paris-inspired Stewie 3 silhouette for the 2024 Summer Olympics), Venice Basketball League, and an upcoming release with LaMelo Ball.
LaFrancé Moment and LaFrancé Untouchable
Drop Date: Friday, July 19th
PUMA Hoops and LaMelo Ball are back with two new colorways of the Y2K-inspired LaFrancé. Just in time for summer, the LaFrancé Moment arrives with a neutral, earth-toned colorway and the LaFrancé Untouchable brings an attention-grabbing black and fuschia colorway to the streetwear-inspired collection.
Both colorways will retail for $110 and will be available at PUMA.com, the PUMA mobile app, the PUMA NYC Flagship store and at Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs and select retailers worldwide.
PUMA x VENICEBALL All-Pro NITRO
The purposely mismatched PUMA x VENICEBALL All-Pro NITRO pays homage to Venice Beach’s signature sunsets and coastal vibes through its “Orange & Teal, Earth Tone Paradise” colorway. Beyond aesthetics, the PUMA x VENICEBALL All-Pro NITRO stays true to the VBL’s core values of eco-consciousness with the phrase “Protect Our Parks, Keeping Our Courts Clean” woven into the design.
The All-Pro NITRO is made with PUMA’s innovative NITROfoam technology that delivers explosive energy return, with a soft inner layer for plush cushioning and a firm outer layer for rock-solid stability on those lightning-fast cuts. The multi-zoned knit upper provides a supportive yet breathable fit, while the cord lock-down lacing system keeps you locked in for movement on the court.
The PUMA x VENICEBALL All-Pro Nitro retails for $130 and is available at PUMA.com and on the PUMA App. Dropping alongside the sneaker is an apparel collection including shorts, sweatpants, sweatshirts, jerseys, and tees beginning at $40.
The Stewie 3 “City of Love”
Designed by WNBA powerhouse Breanna Stewart and PUMA Basketball, the Stewie 3 City of Love is set to be Stewart’s shoe choice as she heads to Paris for the games. The Stewie 3 City of Love was built for on-the-court, high-performance moments. Its sleek, cool blue and white design features Parisian-inspired florals woven and debossed onto the shoe’s mixed material upper, with an outer sole design to match.
The Stewie 3 “City of Love” is currently available, along with a matching apparel collection, including cardigans, sweatpants, and sweatshirts. The collection is available for $45 – $130 at PUMA.com, the PUMA mobile app, the PUMA NYC Flagship store, Foot Locker, and Kids Foot Locker.
When WNBA All StarBreanna Stewart heads to France this summer, she’ll be playing the gameshe loves in the Stewie 3 City of Love.Global sports brand PUMA unveils the second colorway of Breanna Stewart’s third signature shoe. This cool blue iteration features Parisian-inspired floral details, reflectingStewart’s love for the game, her family, and her prestigious career.
The Stewie 3 City of Love was built for on-the-court, high-performance moments. Its sleek, cool blue and white design features Parisian-inspired florals woven and debossed onto the shoe’s mixed material upper, with an outer sole design to match. Marking the second colorway of Stewart’s third signature shoe with the global sports brand, the Stewie 3 City of Love reflects the athlete’s love for the game, her family, and prestigious career as she prepares, once again, for the global stage.
The Stewie 3 City of Love is built for performance, featuring a high-abrasion outsole for added grip and a dual-density Profoam+ midsole forcushioning. It also boasts a drop-in mid sole for enhanced support and comfort, nitrogen foam technology for responsiveness, and a breathable, supportive upper.
The Stewie 3 City of Love launches June 28th, 2024, alongside a collection of apparel spanning cardigans, sweatpants, sweatshirts, and more. The collection will be availablefor $45-$130atPUMA.com, the PUMA mobile app, the PUMA NYC Flagship store, and at Foot Locker and Kids FootLocker.
Breanna Stewart, a prevalent force in women’s basketball, has earned acclaim for her exceptional skill and versatility on the court. Since her collegiate days at the University of Connecticut, where she achieved unprecedented success, Stewart has risen to become one of the most influential players in the WNBA. As of 2024, her achievements in basketball, including numerous titles and MVP awards, have contributed to a net worth of $5 million, according to Clutch Points. This figure signifies her financial success and her profound influence and stature in the sport.
Career Highlights: A Record-Setting Journey
Record-breaking achievements and accolades mark Stewart’s basketball journey. At UConn, she led her team to four consecutive NCAA championships, a feat unmatched in collegiate basketball history. Transitioning to the WNBA, Stewart continued her winning ways with the Seattle Storm, capturing championships and earning MVP honors. Her international career includes her contributions to Team USA in the Olympics. This further solidified her status as one of the premier players in women’s basketball.
Beyond The Court: Advocacy & Leadership
Apart from her on-court triumphs, Stewart’s role extends to advocacy and leadership. She has been vocal about gender equality in sports and social justice, using her platform to bring attention to important causes. Stewart’s off-court endeavors, including her involvement in various charitable initiatives, reflect her commitment to making a positive impact beyond basketball.
Personal Life: Resilience & Growth
Stewart’s resilience in the face of challenges, including her recovery from a significant injury, has been inspirational in her personal life. Her journey, characterized by her determination to overcome obstacles and excel at the highest level, has made her a role model for aspiring athletes. Stewart’s experiences have shaped her into a more rounded and influential figure in the world of sports.
Legacy & Influence: Redefining Women’s Basketball
Reflecting on Breanna Stewart’s $5 million net worth in 2024, her career is a testament to her status as a transformative player in women’s basketball. Her achievements, both in the US and internationally, have not only garnered personal accolades but also contributed to the growth and popularity of the sport. Stewart’s legacy in basketball is one of excellence, leadership, and a relentless pursuit of greatness.
New York Liberty superstar Breanna Stewart has been named WNBA MVP. Stewart beat out the Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas and Las Vegas Aces star and reigning MVP A’Ja Wilson in the closest race in W history.
Stewart and Thomas were separated by seven points, and 13 points separated the winner from Wilson.
“A tight MVP race is amazing for this league because that means multiple players are being talked about that can do a lot of different things,” Stewart said.
Stewart would then play in a bounce-back win for the Liberty over the Sun to tie the semi-final series at 1-1. Stewart had 11 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 rebounds.
The New York Liberty seems to be on a collision course with the Las Vegas Aces. Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and company ousted their first-round opponent, the Washington Mystics, on Tuesday night, 90-85, completing a two-game sweep.
The game went into overtime, sparked by center Jonquel Jones’ clutch rebounds and two free throws at the end of regulation. Overtime had too much Breanna Stewart for the Mystics to hold on.
Stewart led the Liberty with 27 points and nine rebounds. Jones added 19 points and 14 rebounds. While swing guard Betnijah Laney added another 19 points. Natasha Cloud led the Mystics in scoring with 33 points. Two-time league MVP Elena Delle Donne had 11 points but only shot 4-16, including 0-6, from the field.
“That’s the beauty of this team. It’s pick your poison every single night,” Ionescu said to ESPN. “And as long as we can continue to stay together and win, that’s why we’re all here, is to play unselfish basketball.”
The Liberty now await the winner of the last first-round series between the Connecticut Sun and Minnesota Lynx, who play a decisive game 3 on Wednesday (Sept. 20).