An epic five-game WNBA Finals ended in heartbreak for the Minnesota Lynx. New York outscored Minnesota 7-2 in overtime, and the Liberty beat the Lynx 67-62 Sunday in Brooklyn to win the franchise’s first title. If not for a dismal third quarter and missing all six shots in overtime, there could have been a championship parade soon in Minneapolis. Instead, Leonie Fiebich hit a 3 early in overtime, then Nyara Sabally had a layup off a Lynx turnover for a 65-60 New York lead. Kayla McBride made a couple of free throws to get the Lynx within three with 1:51 to play in the extra session, but Minnesota did not score again. Bridget Carleton missed a 3-pointer that would have tied the game with 13 seconds to go. The Lynx turned the ball over five times in the extra frame. “We could have executed better, but there were so many things that went on throughout the game. I think we still gave ourselves a chance to win,” McBride said. Minnesota was 10 for 35 from the field in the second half and overtime, scoring just 28 points against a physical and aggressive Liberty team. “They turned up the pressure, we got a couple turnovers, we didn’t execute offensive plays at the end,” said Napheesa Collier. Hoisting of the trophy concludes an epic series between the league’s top two teams where 5.2 points was the average margin of victory, including a Lynx overtime win in Game 1, Sabrina Ionescu’s long 3 with a second left in Game 3 for New York and Carleton’s two late free throws in Game 4 to tie the series. So, of course, this one had to go down to the final minutes of regulation before a free five minutes of basketball. Down by two, and out of a timeout with 5.2 seconds left, New York’s Breanna Stewart was fouled by Alanna Smith — a call upheld by video review — and sank both free throws to tie the game. A 3-point shot by McBride went off the front of the rim with 3.6 seconds left. “That was not a foul. That call should have been reversed on that challenge,” said coach Cheryl Reeve. “If we would have turned that clip in, they would have told us that it was marginal contact, no foul. Guar-an-teed. Guaranteed. So, when you review there should be the same parameters that you’re reviewing with, but the three people that are on the game need a third party to let them know because that decided the game.” Reeve criticized the officiating after Game 3, New York coach Sandy Brondello did the same after Game 4. New York finished 21 of 25 from the line. Minnesota was 7 of 8, with Collier, the Lynx superstar, having zero attempts. “I don’t get how (Collier) can be held and go to the basket and get hit and then a marginal, at best, AT BEST, sends their best player to the free-throw line. That’s tough to swallow,” Reeve said. “Just like our 2016 championship that was lost with officiating missing a shot-clock violation. This sucks, this is for a championship for both teams. Let them decide it. What contact is legal should be the same for both teams. This isn’t that hard.” A driving layup by Collier tied the game 58-all with 1:35 left, Stewart missed two free throws with 38.2 seconds left, and Ionescu missed a trey three seconds later. Collier missed a jumper with 6.4 seconds left. Out in transition, McBride delivered a textbook bounce pass to Natisha Hiedeman for a layup and a 50-49 Lynx lead with 5:29 left, Minnesota’s first lead in nearly 8½ minutes. A 3-pointer by Ionescu — her first make after starting 0 for 14 — and a layup by Stewart were sandwiched around a Collier basket for a 58-54 Liberty lead. Minnesota shot 37.1%; New York just 30.6%. Collier led the Lynx with 22 points and seven rebounds before fouling out late. McBride scored 21, but no other Lynx player was in double figures. The other three starters were a combined 5 of 26 for 13 points: Carleton (1-6), Smith (2-6) and Williams (2-14). The Lynx led by 12 in the second quarter and 34-27 at the half. However, the Lynx were ice cold offensively in the third quarter. Minnesota was 3 of 14 from the field, and was outscored 20-10 as the Liberty took a 47-44 lead into the final 10 minutes. Outside expectations were not high for a Minnesota Lynx team that lost in the first round of the 2023 playoffs and did not make “splashy” high-profile free agent signings, yet starting forward Smith, starting guard Williams and backup guard Natisha Hiedeman (acquired via trade) proved to be more than just complementary pieces to the likes of Collier and McBride, while Carleton adjusted superbly from role player to starting forward and confident outside shooter. Reeve, named the league’s Coach and Executive of the Year, knew early in training camp the way this team meshed and played for each other that 2024 could be a special season. “I wouldn’t trade them for anyone, anyone, any team.” Related Articles Minnesota Lynx | WNBA Finals: What to know about Game 3, plus keys to a Lynx victory Minnesota Lynx | WNBA Finals: Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams have been consistently excellent on offense. But Lynx need others to produce Minnesota Lynx | WNBA Finals: Lynx offense sputters in Game 2 defeat Minnesota Lynx | It’s all on the line for the Lynx in Game 5 of the semifinals. Here’s what to know.