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Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and their New York Liberty teammates were celebrated with a spectacular ticker-tape parade in the Canyon of Heroes, downtown Manhattan, on Thursday. This historic event marked the Liberty's first-ever WNBA championship victory, which they secured by defeating the Minnesota Lynx in a thrilling overtime Game 5 of the WNBA Finals held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Sunday.
Dignitaries in the parade
Numerous dignitaries attended the parade, including New York Senator Chuck Schumer, Governor Kathy Hochul, and Mayor Eric Adams, joining thousands of fans who lined the streets to honor the champions. The atmosphere was electric as fans of all ages donned jerseys of their favorite players. Jones proudly showcased her Finals MVP trophy atop her float, while Stewart and Ionescu engaged enthusiastically with the crowd, exchanging high-fives and snapping selfies with supporters.
Ticker-tape parades
New York City has a rich history of hosting over 200 ticker-tape and confetti parades. The last parade honoring a women's sports team occurred in 2019 when the U.S. soccer team celebrated their World Cup victory. In 2021, essential workers and first responders were honored with a parade for their contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, not every New York sports champion has received such an honor. The New York City FC celebrated their first Major League Soccer championship in 2021 with only a gathering at City Hall. Similarly, NY/NJ Gotham FC did not have a parade after winning the NWSL championship last year.
The parade route began at Battery Park and proceeded north along Broadway to City Hall, culminating in a celebratory event at Barclays Center later that evening. Fans were encouraged to use public transportation due to expected street closures and detours around Lower Manhattan.
In addition to celebrating their championship, the Liberty's victory holds significant meaning for younger generations of girls attending the parade. Many expressed excitement at witnessing this historic moment for women's sports in New York. As Jones, Stewart, Ionescu, and their teammates basked in the glory of their achievement, they not only celebrated a championship but also inspired countless fans who look up to them as role models in sports.
Liberty outclasses lynx
The New York Liberty scripted history on Sunday Night in WNBA Final Game 5 as they toppled the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in a decisive Final. Liberty won their first WNBA Championship in 28 years. New York was one of the original franchises in the league and yet they were away from their first trophy, but finally, the girls have turned it around. This was New York's first basketball title since 1973 when New York Knicks clinched the NBA Championship.
WNBA Final Results
Game 1: Lynx 95, Liberty 93
Game 2: Liberty 80, Lynx 66
Game 3: Liberty 80, Lynx 77
Game 4: Lynx 82, Liberty 80
Game 5: Liberty 67 Lynx 62
