The New York Liberty made history! After a grueling five game series against the Minnesota Lynx, they won the franchise’s first WNBA championship and New York’s first pro basketball championship since the 1970s. In game five, Nyara Sabally played the game of her life as she powered the Liberty to victory. Sabally’s career defining game served as a culmination of years of hard work and perseverance. It also built on what’s been a terrific run for the German National Team star.
When Nyara Sabally first appeared in Game three, the Liberty were down 23-9 and in deep trouble. Breanna Stewart was in foul trouble and the team couldn’t get going against a tough Lynx defense. Nyara was able to fix that and help New York get back in the fight
“I feel like her being healthy, you get to see other layers of her game,” Jonquel Jones told The Local W at media availability on October 17. “You get to see her get more comfortable. And so I don’t think it’s necessarily a growth thing, but more an opportunity and the fact that she’s healthy thing. She did a lot of great things [in Game 3]. She played with great energy. And she was able to finish through contact and we’re gonna need that from her as we try to close this out.”
After game 3, Sandy Brondello was similarly effusive in her praise
For as great as she was that night, the best was yet to come.
Sabally saves the day
“Be ready, we may go for a big lineup.”
Sandy Brondello didn’t think her team was playing with urgency in the first half of game 5. The team was out of sorts and couldn’t find it on offense. It was the worst the team had played and it was happening at the worst time possible. With NY’s backs against the wall, Brondello hit the emergency button.
The Liberty were the best rebounding team in the W while the Lynx were one of the worst in 2024. New York’s size and versatility was essential to their season, and the vision became reality when the stakes were at its highest.
The Liberty went extra big as we saw the full combination of physicality, rim protection, communication, and switchability on display. It was the right lineup at the right time and something that will live forever.
“She has that X-factor,” Brondello said in the game 5 postgame. “Her ability to make one on one plays. To rebound the ball, to play great defense, and to finish plays.”
Game 5 was a representation of everything that made her a top draft pick in 2022. Despite various setbacks, Sabally stayed dedicated to her craft and worked to craft a spot in the rotation. After a game like this, you start to wonder just how amazing she can truly be.
What’s next?
Before we get to that
When the Liberty return in 2025, Sabally figures to play a huge role in the team’s title defense. Liberty fans have watched her gain confidence each season and add to her arsenal. Now that she had the game of her life in the biggest game in team history, the sky is the limit for the former Oregon Duck.
“Our team has such a high standard and to be able to live up to that, you have to be mentally ready,” Sabally said following game 5. “Otherwise, you’ll just hurt the team in the long run. But with great teammates like that, it’s kind of easy to get on the floor and leave it out there. My role is pretty simple: run the floor, get rebounds, and maybe shoot some buckets. They make it really easy for me and like I always said, there’s so much talent on the floor. Being able to bring something to that is something everybody dreams of.”
The Liberty have tons of depth, and it gives them the luxury of managing everyone’s minutes. 2024 was the first time the Liberty didn’t have a player in the top ten in minutes per game since 2021. Sabally’s emergence allows the team to try out exciting new lineup combinations, explore each player’s talents, and give them more chances to rest throughout the regular season. As the WNBA continues to get better and better, roster versatility takes on even more importance. You need players who can do a little bit of everything if you want to win big. With Sabally’s emergence, the Liberty head into 2025 and beyond ready to maintain their position as the best team in the game.