“We haven’t done anything yet.” Sandy Brondello knew the job was not done yet after having claimed the top seed on the WNBA standings. While securing that top spot has earned New York Liberty the crucial home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, it’s certain that relying solely on the support of their fans won’t be enough as they enter the Finals for the second year running.

The New York Liberty has certainly made a statement this season, emerging as a formidable force with the best offensive ratings in the league during the regular season. They added to their impressive resume with a commanding performance against the Las Vegas Aces in the semi-finals, decisively eliminating their rivals and thwarting their quest for a three-peat. However, as they prepare for the Finals, the Liberty know they can’t afford to let their guard down or become overconfident, and it’s important because, despite their rich playoff history, they are still chasing that elusive championship title.

The New York Liberty’s legacy of perseverance

The New York Liberty has a rich history in the WNBA, rarely missing the playoffs in their 28 years as a franchise. As one of the original three teams from the league’s inaugural season, they have remained a consistent presence in women’s basketball. Over the past three decades, the Liberty has qualified for the playoffs 19 times, making them one of the teams with the second-most playoff appearances, tied with the Seattle Storm.

This year’s journey to the Finals has marked a significant milestone for the Liberty, as they equaled the record for most Finals appearances in WNBA history, totaling six. However, this record did not last long as the Minnesota Lynx made it to the Finals as well, surpassing the Liberty, claiming their seventh Finals appearance.

The Liberty made their playoff debut right in the WNBA’s inaugural season, finishing second in the Eastern Conference behind the Houston Comets. Back then, the playoffs were single-elimination, and the Liberty dominated the Phoenix Mercury in the semifinals. However, they came up short in the Finals against a powerhouse Houston team. The following year, the Liberty missed out on the playoffs, but they quickly bounced back and proved their potential.

In both 1999 and 2000, the Liberty not only qualified for the postseason but fought their way to the championship game. Unfortunately, their championship dreams were dashed again, falling to their familiar rivals, the Houston Comets, in both Finals. The Comets, dominant from day one, captured four consecutive titles—a remarkable feat that still stands in WNBA history.

The Liberty kept their playoff streak alive for two more years, but 2002 brought yet another heartbreak. This time, they lost the Finals to the Los Angeles Sparks—the only team with more playoff appearances than the Liberty and Storm today. That marked their last Finals appearance for over two decades. Since then, the Liberty have made it to the playoffs 14 times, but the elusive championship has remained just out of reach.

Sandy Brondello’s unit finally ended the two-decade Finals drought last year when they defeated the Connecticut Sun to reach the Finals for the fifth time. Although they fell short of winning the elusive WNBA title again, they didn’t leave the season empty-handed, securing a trophy to add to their cabinet.

Is there any trophy in the cabinet of the Liberty?

The 2023 season presented the New York Liberty with another shot at capturing that elusive WNBA title. But standing in their path was none other than the Las Vegas Aces, a powerhouse that had finished the season as the top seed with only six losses. If there was one edge the Liberty had over their formidable opponents, it was their victory in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup earlier that year—the sole trophy currently adorning their cabinet.

Though the Liberty claimed the Commissioner’s Cup, the runner-up, the Las Vegas Aces, didn’t have to wait long for a shot at revenge. Both teams met again, this time with everything on the line in the WNBA Finals. As defending champions from 2022, the Aces had the advantage, and that edge became evident as the final series unfolded.

The Aces took control early in the Finals, winning the first two games and dealing a serious blow to the confidence of Breanna Stewart and her Liberty teammates. Despite the setback, the Liberty fought back with a strong performance in Game 3, much like the Aces did in this year’s semifinals. However, their comeback fell short. The Aces closed out the series in Game 4, handing the Liberty their fifth Finals loss and keeping the WNBA title in Las Vegas.

With such a consistent playoff history, the Liberty holds the unfortunate distinction of being the only team with over five playoff appearances without ever claiming a WNBA title. But this season could be their chance to shake off the label of “chokers.”