Since the New York Liberty took its first WNBA Championship home, one discussion has sparked plenty of opinions- who really deserved the 2024 Finals MVP title? Although the honor went to Jonquel Jones, WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes has a surprise pick. The 4x champion stated that Jones deserved to win the Finals MVP, but she has a different name in mind considering her performance in the pivotal Game 5. Do you know to who her MVP vote would go?

None other than Nyara Sabally. “If they would have given MVP just based off of that one game, my vote was going to Nyara. Just for that one game.” While Jones undeniably led the Liberty to victory, the unexpected star stole the spotlight in Game 5. Co-host Terrika Foster-Brasby, adding some humor, said, “If she wanted to save herself from the expansion draft, she just did that.”

Terrika further added, “If you’re in New York, you got to be like, maybe we put that protection around Nyara Sabally. Maybe she’s one of our six.” To which the Hall of Famer chimed in, “Because the moment wasn’t too big for her.” 

In the decisive matchup, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu were totally off their game, and the team needed someone to step up. Sabally entered from the bench and put up an impressive 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, grabbed seven rebounds, had a steal, and even blocked a crucial shot. 

The most important one was when she stifled Napheesa Collier’s game-tying attempt in OT and hit a two-pointer after stealing the ball from Kayla McBride. Despite only averaging 13.5 minutes throughout the year, she gave this last game her all. 

“I mean, literally made the most of her minutes all season. All series. I was very proud of her and happy to see Satu there, happy for her,” Tarrika added during their ‘Levels To This’ podcast. However, Sheryl Swoopes confessed that Jones’ impact cannot be denied. 

Sheryl Swoopes believes Jonquel Jones ‘deserved’ the long-awaited title

Of course, Jonquel Jones massively deserved this MVP honor. She was the only one on the winning team who put up consistent performances throughout the series against the Minnesota Lynx. Swoopes had once been critical of Jones, feeling that she could dominate more, but even she admitted, “Sis, you balled your a-s out. You deserve this Finals MVP. You deserve this championship.”

With two Finals losses, the Bahamian player desperately wanted to win this one. Hence, she made her presence felt every time she got a chance. In Game 5, she racked up 17 points and six rebounds, shooting 50% from the field. That was consistent with her series average of 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds.

Her coach, Sandy Brondello, was very proud. “I’m just really proud of JJ,” HC said. “I love coaching her. I just love her personality, how she brings it every single day. She was big for us and it wasn’t a pretty game today. … Usually I don’t like to play her 42 minutes but she just stayed, competing, because that’s how important it was. She knew how she needed to help us.”

Jones herself was soaking in the victory, expressing, “I’m just really happy. I’m really just trying to take in the moment and just enjoy every aspect of it.” Sure, Sabally left everyone in awe, but Jones’ consistency got the NY Liberty the title.