Libertys elusive WNBA title once again within reach

MINNEAPOLIS — Forty minutes stand between the Liberty and their first WNBA title in franchise history. After their stunning 80-77 Game 3 win over the Lynx on Wednesday night on Sabrina Ionescu’s 28-footer, the Liberty can clinch the title in Game 4 on Friday night. “Knowing that when I left Seattle, I kind of started a new chapter and turned the page and went to a place that has been on the build, on the rebuild,” said Breanna Stewart, who arrived as a free agent before last season as the anchor of a new superteam, “[I] wanted to take ownership and leadership in getting this team to a championship level, and now we’re really close.” The Liberty, finalists in four of the WNBA’s first six seasons, were twice one win from the title but could not finish the job. The Liberty were technically within one win of a title in the inaugural season in 1997, when they faced the Houston Comets in a one-game final. In 1999, they were again within one win against the Comets in a best-of-three series after winning Game 2 on Teresa Weatherspoon’s historic half-court shot.But they lost Game 3. This time, the Liberty are ahead for the first time in a best-of-five Finals series.

They were in a two-game hole a year ago against the Aces at Barclays Center. Not only do they have a shot at their first championship win, but they can also end the championship drought for New York in the four major sports. The city hasn’t seen a championship — aside from NYCFC and FC Gotham in soccer — since the Giants won the Super Bowl over the Patriots in February 2012.And it hasn’t seen a basketball title since the Knicks defeated the Lakers in 1973. It isn’t something that the city has let the Liberty forget. “I think the people of New York don’t let you stop thinking about [a championship],” Jonquel Jones told The Post on Thursday.

“Like, every time you’re walking around or doing something, they’re always talking.‘Oh yeah, we saw that game.’ ‘OK, ...