When the New York Liberty clinched the first Championship title, their star Jonquel Jones was awarded the Finals MVP. While Breanna Stewart’s, Sabrina Ionescu’s, and Jones’ efforts have been well acknowledged by fans and their teammates, the other Liberty stars haven’t been lauded much. And a veteran journalist did just that, putting them into the spotlight.

On Sunday’s episode of Locked On Women’s Basketball, Howard Megdal broke down the Liberty’s victory and what got them so far. And fans were excited that he chose to laud other stars.

“There’s a lot to get to in that remarkable game, but again I remember you and me talking and the thing I said to you about Betnijah Laney-Hamilton back when she was just Betnijah. Yeah was teams win championships with players like Betnijah Laney you don’t win championships without them. It’s Betnijah Laney-Hamilton yes. That is Kayla Thornton  who is her birthday by the way. Oh what a birthday present for her turns out you said that to me this morning wouldn’t… wouldn’t that be a great birthday as it turned out for KT?,” Megdal stated.

The Liberty before this game were the only original team that participated in the 1997 WNBA but hadn’t won a title. They had previously made it to the 5 WNBA Finale series but ended up empty-handed. Hence, when Liberty won their first Championship title, Megdal claimed that it was a team effort and everyone should be applauded for it, as per the video.

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was nothing short of a game-changer for the New York Liberty throughout the playoffs. Playing in all 11 games and starting every single one, she delivered clutch performances, scoring an essential 7 points per game. Her standout moment came in Game 2 of the Championship Finals, where she dropped a critical 20-point cameo, helping head coach Sandy Brondello’s squad secure a win against the Minnesota Lynx. Alongside her, Kayla Thornton’s high-energy contributions, though in limited minutes, were vital for providing relief in the rotation. At 32 years old, Thornton’s impact didn’t go unnoticed, earning her well-deserved applause from fans and teammates alike. But as great as their efforts were, Jonquel Jones’ MVP performance ultimately stole the spotlight.

Jonquel Jones takes home an additional $15,450

From Game 1 of the Championship Finals, Jones made her intentions clear—she was a force to be reckoned with. Dominating the court with 24 points and 20 rebounds, she put the Lynx on notice. As the series progressed, her influence only grew, consistently delivering game-defining moments. Averaging 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game across the Finals, Jones earned the Finals MVP award. Along with the recognition, she pocketed an additional $15,450 as part of her performance bonus, topping the $20K championship prize.

“Y’all know my story, y’all know how many times I’ve been denied it, but it was delayed—that’s all it was,” Jones said while accepting the award from WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Yet, as Howard Megdal pointed out, while Jones’ exceptional performance deservedly took the spotlight, players like Laney-Hamilton and Thornton also contributed significantly to the Liberty’s triumph.

With the championship drought of 28 years finally over, New York Liberty fans can now breathe easy, celebrating a long-awaited title and the incredible efforts of the entire roster.