Neck-and-neck in what was once upon a time a clash between two of the WNBA’s most prolific offenses, the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx quickly discovered that surviving the WNBA Finals’ win-or-go-home atmosphere would instead require traits such as hustle, determination, and defense. In between celebratory walk-off interviews that included both English and German, Nyara Sabally proved that those three words were unquestionably etched into her vocabulary. Sharing a floor with future Hall of Famers, former Most Valuable Player winners, and current All-Stars, Sabally — making her claim as perhaps the second half’s most productive player — prepares for the lofty challenge of defending Napheesa Collier in overtime. Upping her intensity to match the environment, the second-year forward loots a passing lane, denying entry through a perfectly-timed steal, followed by a breakaway layup, supplying a five-point edge in the closing minutes. Sabally’s role in the Liberty’s jumbo, three-big lineup proved to be both crucial and calculated, eventually helping the Liberty end a 28-season championship drought on October 20, 2024. An unsung hero to the utmost degree, Sabally contributed 13 points (on five-of-seven shooting), seven rebounds, one steal, and one block across 17 minutes. · Oct 20, 2024