A controversial moment in the New York Liberty’s thrilling 67-62 overtime victory against the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals is stirring up even more debate. With just under five seconds left in regulation, the Liberty trailed the Lynx 60-58 when Breanna Stewart drew a crucial foul call while driving to the basket. Stewart collided with Lynx forward Alanna Smith, and the referees whistled Smith for a shooting foul, sending Stewart to the free-throw line.
Under immense pressure, Stewart calmly sank both free throws, tying the game and sending it to overtime.
The foul call immediately sparked a firestorm on social media, with fans and even prominent athletes like LeBron James weighing in. Many questioned the validity of the call, especially given the physical nature of Game 5, where players from both teams were fighting tooth and nail for the championship.
Critics argued that in such a pivotal moment, the refs should have let the players decide the game on the court, without intervention from a late foul call.
However, the controversy deepened when Liberty coach Sandy Brondello was caught on a hot mic during a timeout before the fateful play. Brondello was heard telling Stewart, “If they foul you, embellish it,” a comment that quickly circulated on social media.
While it’s common for coaches to encourage players to sell contact in critical moments, the timing of the comment—followed shortly by the foul call—led to speculation about the nature of Stewart’s play and whether the contact was exaggerated to draw the whistle.
The situation has added another layer of drama to an already heart-pounding game. Stewart’s two clutch free throws not only tied the game but gave the Liberty the momentum they needed to dominate in overtime. New York capitalized on the emotional boost, outscoring the Lynx 7-2 in the extra frame, securing their first-ever WNBA championship in franchise history.
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Stewart finished the game with 13 points and four assists, but it was her ability to come through in the game’s most critical moment that will be remembered. Her performance was complemented by Liberty center Jonquel Jones, who led the team with 17 points and earned Finals MVP honors after averaging 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds throughout the series.
While the Liberty’s victory marks a historic moment for the franchise, the controversy surrounding the late-game foul call has sparked ongoing debate about officiating in high-stakes games. Some fans feel the call unfairly influenced the outcome, while others believe that Stewart did what any star player would do in such a situation—make the most of the opportunity presented.
Regardless, the Liberty’s perseverance and Stewart’s clutch free throws will go down as defining moments in the team’s long-awaited championship run.
As for Brondello’s mic’d-up comment, it has become part of the post-game conversation.
Though her instruction to Stewart was likely something any coach would say in the heat of a high-pressure situation, it will continue to fuel discussion about the balance between player action and officiating in sports’ biggest moments.
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