There won’t be a WNBA three-peat for Vegas this year. This is significant not only because winning three straight championships has only happened once in the league’s 27-year history*, but also because the New York Liberty, who knocked out the defending Aces in the semifinals, might just take it all. Could we finally see a basketball championship in NYC for the first time since 1973? It’s hard to argue against it.
New York remains the mecca of basketball, with a rich history of producing some of the sport’s greatest players and being the birthplace of pickup and playground basketball. Despite this, that legacy hasn’t translated into professional title success. Much has been documented about the struggles of the New York Knicks and the distant memory of their championship glory, but it’s equally surprising that the Liberty have yet to win a Trophy at all.
Over the years, many notable players have worn the Liberty jersey, and while the team saw early success with four Finals appearances, a 20-year drought is tough to ignore. This could be the year that changes everything, and reaps a harvest from a seed that was planted four years ago.
In 2020, the Liberty wisely used their number-one draft pick to select Sabrina Ionescu, who was embarking on a highly anticipated pro career after success with the NCAA's Oregon Ducks. The franchise, in their new home at Barclays Center in Downtown Brooklyn, began to build around their new star. They hit the accelerator in 2023, acquiring established vets like Jonquel Jones, Courtney Vandersloot, and Breanna Stewart—moves that propelled them to the WNBA Finals, where they ultimately lost to—yes, you guessed it—the Las Vegas Aces.
*The Houston Comets won the first 4 WNBA titles
A 20-year drought is tough to ignore. This could be the year that changes everything, and reaps a harvest from a seed that was planted four years ago.
I don’t want to jinx a possible New York championship, but the fact that they’ve already avenged the defending champs, and possibly their toughest competition, certainly bodes well for the Liberty's chances. While it would be foolish to underestimate Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams, and the Minnesota Lynx, things are definitely looking up for the basketball capital.
You can't ignore that.
