The New York Liberty clinched their first-ever championship title on Sunday, defeating the Minnesota Lynx in a hard-fought Game 5. While stars like Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart received praise for their efforts, Shannon Sharpe took a different angle on his show Nightcap, giving credit to the Liberty’s supporting cast rather than their star duo, a take that resonated with Lynx fans.

Sharpe didn’t hold back in his critique of Ionescu and Stewart’s performance in the championship game. “Stewie and Ionescu, yeah. Take the whole team out. The celebration is on y’all too. They bear your teammates out, that’s why it’s a team. That’s why it’s a team. I mean Stewart was 4 of 15 or 3 from the three-point line. Ionescu was 1 of 19 from the floor. She was 1 for 10 from the three. Take your teammates out, guys,” Sharpe commented. “Finals MVP Jonquel Jones… She had 17 points, 6 rebounds, and assists. Played very well.”

Ionescu, despite playing 40 minutes, struggled offensively, contributing only 5 points and shooting 1-of-19 from the field. Her 7 rebounds and 8 assists were solid, but it was Jonquel Jones who stepped up, scoring 17 points with 6 rebounds to help seal the win. Stewart also had a tough night, putting up 13 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 assists, but shooting just 4-of-15 from the field and missing all of her three-pointers. Sharpe was quick to point out their struggles: “Stewie played… Stewie was 4 out of 15… but when she had to have him because she had went to the free throw line previous and missed both of them… she redeemed herself making two big free throws to tie the game.”

The drama didn’t end with the final buzzer. Sharpe also weighed in on a controversial call late in the game, when Alanna Smith was whistled for a foul while defending Stewart. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve voiced her frustration, and Sharpe sided with the Lynx, saying, “I thought the defender got beat her to the spot… they blew the whistle, but even when they challenged, I’m like… I looked at it as ain’t overturning.”

While the Liberty walked away with a 67-62 victory, it wasn’t the flawless performance many expected from their star duo. Both Ionescu and Stewart struggled with their shooting, and it was the rest of the team, particularly Jonquel Jones, who carried the Liberty over the finish line. Sharpe’s assessment of the game sparked plenty of debate, but one thing’s for sure: even when they’re not at their best, the Liberty found a way to win and claim their first-ever championship title.

Cheryl Reeve blames the refs for their loss

It so happened in the fourth quarter that Smith was guarding Stewart, who was looking to score a layup. However, as Stewie tried to make her way to the net, Smith came in front of her, guarding her and trying to block the shot. The refs suddenly blew the whistle as they felt that Smith had hit her opponent on the hand. However, this didn’t go down well with Reeve and her mentees who suggested that Smith was innocent.

So, Reeve challenged the call with the Lynx leading the score by a 60-58 margin and with only 5 seconds left. However, the challenge was unsuccessful as Smith wasn’t in a legal guarding position. Therefore Stewie was given two free throws, which she instantly hit, helping the team tie the game.  “I know all the headlines will be ‘Reeve cries foul.’ Bring it on. Right? Bring it on. Because this s**t was stolen from us. Bring it on,” Reeve enumerated in the post-game press conference.

While the Liberty fans rejoice, they must be taking note of the fact that their core stars did not get them over the line. Instead, it was a combined effort from the team that got them their first Championship title.