The New York Liberty claimed their first ever WNBA Finals title by defeating the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime of Game 5 of the 2024 Finals. Despite several deserving candidates, it was center Jonquel Jones who was named the Finals MVP for her impressive performance throughout the series.
Former guard Cynthia Cooper holds the record for the most WNBA Finals MVP awards, winning four in a row with the Houston Comets from 1997 to 2000. Other players with multiple Finals MVPs include Breanna Stewart, Lisa Leslie, Diana Taurasi, and Sylvia Fowles.
The 2023 Finals MVP was awarded to A’ja Wilson for her role in the Las Vegas Aces’ championship win, while Chelsea Gray took home the honors the year before. Breanna Stewart, a two-time Finals MVP winner, was a strong contender in 2024 but ultimately did not add to her collection of awards. Her previous wins came with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020.
The Liberty’s victory marks a historic moment for the franchise, which had reached the Finals five times before but had never secured a championship win. Jones’ stellar performance and the team’s overall success have solidified their place in WNBA history.
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