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Sheryl Swoopes chose to avoid controversy at the end of the 2024 WNBA season as the legendary basketball player agreed with the consensus that the New York Liberty's Jonquel Jones was Finals MVP, but there was a twist.
The four-time WNBA champion said that if she had to choose the MVP based on Game 5 alone, it wouldn't have been the forward but would have instead been Nyara Sabally, the Liberty's other forward.
Whilst Jones, initially given +1000 odds to become Finals MVP, was the overall deciding factor as she spurred the East Coast team to their first ever championship Sabally, stood tall during Game 5 against the Minnesota Lynx.
The 24-year-old, who represents internationally, produced 13 points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes of action as the Liberty claimed their maidan title with a 67-62 overtime triumph to clinch a 3-2 series win.
The highlight came when the 6ft 5in player shut down Napheesa Collier's effort to tie the contest in additional time before she then went to nail a two-pointer after stealing from Kayla McBride, a highly influential few minutes in the championship-deciding game.
"If they would have given MVP just based off of that one game," Swoopes said of Sabally in Game 5 to Queens of the Court. "My vote was going to Nyara. Just for that one game."
Jones claims Finals MVP
Of course, it was Jones who dominated the WNBA Finals by recording 89 points, 38 rebounds and 11 assists as the Liberty finally got their hands on the trophy following five previously lost championship bids.
In tightly-fought games against the Lynx, the 30-year-old repelled the pressure and stood tall to ensure her teammates kept their noses above water at the Barclays Center and the Target Center through the Finals.
"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 as she accepted the award. "I'm just really happy.
"I'm really just trying to take in the moment and just enjoy every aspect of it. I'm just up here smiling, thanking Jesus and thanking my teammates."