2005 WNBA Finals
Encyclopedia
The 2005 WNBA Finals was the championship series of the 2005 WNBA season
, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs
. The Sacramento Monarchs
, top-seeded champions of the Western Conference
, defeated the Connecticut Sun
, top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference
, three games to one in a best-of-five series. This was Sacramento's first title.
The Monarchs made their first appearance in the Finals in franchise history. The Sun appeared in the Finals for the second straight time after having lost to Seattle
in 2004.
Going into the series, neither team had won a WNBA championship. The Houston Comets
hold the record with four championships won.
The Sun's 26-8 record gave them home court advantage over Sacramento (25–9). But it did not matter, because Sacramento went on to win the series.
came through with a powerful performance.
Griffith scored 19 of her 25 points in the second half as the Sacramento Monarchs
posted a thrilling 69-65 victory over the Connecticut Sun
in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals
.
An Olympian and All-Star, Griffith helped the Monarchs make the Sun's home-court advantage useless in what is expected to be a tight best-of-five series.
With the crowd at Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Arena
on its feet for virtually the entire second half, Griffith showed why she's one of the league's top players.
The 6-4 Griffith had her way near the basket over the final 20 minutes, making 8-of-10 shots. Her three-point play with 2:59 remaining gave the Monarchs a 63-59 lead.
gave the desperate Connecticut Sun
a leg to stand on.
Wyckoff's 3-pointer with two seconds left tied the game and the Sun pitched a shutout in overtime as they evened the WNBA Finals
with a 77-70 victory over the mistake-prone Sacramento Monarchs
.
Playing without injured star point guard Lindsay Whalen
, the Sun were seconds away from an 0-2 deficit but got back in the best-of-five series. Games 3 and 4 are Sunday and Tuesday at Sacramento.
Perhaps Connecticut's best player, Whalen sat out with a non-displaced fracture of her left tibia and a sprained left ankle.
Whalen watched helplessly from the bench as two free throws each from DeMya Walker
and Kara Lawson
gave Sacramento a 70-67 lead with 8.6 seconds remaining.
After a timeout, the Sun inbounded to Katie Douglas
, who momentarily held the ball but was not fouled by the Monarchs. She passed inside the arc to Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who drew inexplicable help defense from Ticha Penicheiro
.
McWilliams-Franklin passed to the right corner to an open Wyckoff, whose shot splashed through to force overtime and bring a roar from the crowd at Mohegan Sun Arena
.
rallied within a basket before the Sacramento Monarchs
moved within one win of a WNBA title.
Yolanda Griffith
had 19 points and 11 rebounds and the Monarchs withstood a comeback by the Sun in a 66-55 victory that gave them a 2-1 lead in the WNBA Finals
.
The Monarchs, who lost Game 2 in overtime after allowing a tying 3-pointer before the regulation buzzer, can claim their first championship with a win in Game 4 of the best-of-five series.
Griffith had a pair of baskets in a 9-0 burst that gave Sacramento its largest lead at 50-36 with just over 12 minutes to play. However, Connecticut used a 12-0 surge to get back in the game.
Two free throws by Nykesha Sales
, who scored 17 points, made it 57-55 with 3:16 left. But those were the last points for the Sun, who appeared to wilt down the stretch.
After Kara Lawson
went backdoor for a layup, Jamie Carey
missed a fast-break layup and Sales missed underneath. Ticha Penicheiro
split a pair of free throws for a 60-55 lead with 59 seconds to go.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin had 16 points and 13 boards for the Sun, who committed 16 turnovers and made just 10-of-19 free throws.
Connecticut All-Star guard Lindsay Whalen
, who sat out Game 2 with knee and ankle injuries, returned but managed just two points and two assists with five turnovers in 23 minutes.
can finally call themselves WNBA royalty.
The Monarchs won their first WNBA title, riding All-Star Yolanda Griffith
and rallying for a frantic 62-59 victory over the hard-luck Connecticut Sun
.
An original WNBA franchise, the Monarchs won the best-of-five series in four games. They went 7-1 in the postseason, losing only Game 2 of this series in overtime at Connecticut.
Sacramento trailed by 11 points in the first half and led by 10 in the second half before the game came down to a final shot. With a chance to tie the game, Nykesha Sales
fired an airball on a 3-pointer, allowing ARCO Arena
to finally celebrate.
A former WNBA MVP and the team leader, Griffith had 14 points and 10 rebounds for her second straight double-double. She averaged 18.5 points and 9.8 rebounds in the series and was named Finals MVP.
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! colspan="2" style="background-color: #483B8D; color: #FFFFFF; text-align: center;" | 2005 Sacramento Monarchs Finals roster
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! colspan="2" style="background-color: #092C57; color: #FFC322; text-align: center;" | 2005 Connecticut Sun Finals roster
|- style="background-color: #B22222;color: #FFFFFF; text-align: center;"
! Players !! Coaches
|-
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2005 WNBA season
-External links:***...
, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs
WNBA Playoffs
The WNBA Playoffs is a best-of-three elimination tournament between eight teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association , ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the WNBA Finals....
. The Sacramento Monarchs
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
, top-seeded champions of the Western Conference
Western Conference (WNBA)
The Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Western Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Eastern Conference...
, defeated the Connecticut Sun
Connecticut Sun
The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded in Orlando, Florida before the 1999 season began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season...
, top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
, three games to one in a best-of-five series. This was Sacramento's first title.
The Monarchs made their first appearance in the Finals in franchise history. The Sun appeared in the Finals for the second straight time after having lost to Seattle
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
in 2004.
Going into the series, neither team had won a WNBA championship. The Houston Comets
Houston Comets
The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
hold the record with four championships won.
The Sun's 26-8 record gave them home court advantage over Sacramento (25–9). But it did not matter, because Sacramento went on to win the series.
Road to the finals
| Sacramento Monarchs | Connecticut Sun | |
|---|---|---|
| 25–9 (.735) 1st West, 2nd overall |
Regular season 2005 WNBA season -External links:***... |
26–8 (.765) 1st East, 1st overall |
| Defeated the (4) Los Angeles Sparks Los Angeles Sparks The Los Angeles Sparks is a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began... , 2–0 |
Conference Semifinals | Defeated the (4) Detroit Shock Detroit Shock The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion... , 2–0 |
| Defeated the (3) Houston Comets Houston Comets The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and... , 2–0 |
Conference Finals | Defeated the (2) Indiana Fever Indiana Fever The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began... , 2–0 |
Regular season series
The Sun won the regular season series against the Monarchs:Game 1
In an electric atmosphere, Yolanda GriffithYolanda Griffith
Yolanda Evette Griffith is a former American professional basketball who played in both the ABL, and WNBA. A Former WNBA MVP she is considered one of the greatest rebounders and defensive players in the history of Women's Basketball. She last played in the WNBA as a member of the Indiana Fever...
came through with a powerful performance.
Griffith scored 19 of her 25 points in the second half as the Sacramento Monarchs
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
posted a thrilling 69-65 victory over the Connecticut Sun
Connecticut Sun
The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded in Orlando, Florida before the 1999 season began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season...
in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals
WNBA Finals
The WNBA Finals is the championship series of the Women's National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each fall. The series was named the WNBA Championship until 2002....
.
An Olympian and All-Star, Griffith helped the Monarchs make the Sun's home-court advantage useless in what is expected to be a tight best-of-five series.
With the crowd at Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
on its feet for virtually the entire second half, Griffith showed why she's one of the league's top players.
The 6-4 Griffith had her way near the basket over the final 20 minutes, making 8-of-10 shots. Her three-point play with 2:59 remaining gave the Monarchs a 63-59 lead.
Game 2
Brooke WyckoffBrooke Wyckoff
Brooke Wyckoff is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'1" forward from Florida State University, Wyckoff played in the WNBA from 2001 to 2009, competing for the Orlando Miracle, the Connecticut Sun, and the Chicago Sky...
gave the desperate Connecticut Sun
Connecticut Sun
The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded in Orlando, Florida before the 1999 season began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season...
a leg to stand on.
Wyckoff's 3-pointer with two seconds left tied the game and the Sun pitched a shutout in overtime as they evened the WNBA Finals
WNBA Finals
The WNBA Finals is the championship series of the Women's National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each fall. The series was named the WNBA Championship until 2002....
with a 77-70 victory over the mistake-prone Sacramento Monarchs
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
.
Playing without injured star point guard Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
, the Sun were seconds away from an 0-2 deficit but got back in the best-of-five series. Games 3 and 4 are Sunday and Tuesday at Sacramento.
Perhaps Connecticut's best player, Whalen sat out with a non-displaced fracture of her left tibia and a sprained left ankle.
Whalen watched helplessly from the bench as two free throws each from DeMya Walker
DeMya Walker
DeMya Chakheia Walker is a professional basketball player from the United States.-High school:...
and Kara Lawson
Kara Lawson
-External links:**...
gave Sacramento a 70-67 lead with 8.6 seconds remaining.
After a timeout, the Sun inbounded to Katie Douglas
Katie Douglas
Kathryn Elizabeth “Katie” Douglas is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA...
, who momentarily held the ball but was not fouled by the Monarchs. She passed inside the arc to Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who drew inexplicable help defense from Ticha Penicheiro
Ticha Penicheiro
Ticha Penicheiro is a Portuguese professional basketball player who plays for Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA...
.
McWilliams-Franklin passed to the right corner to an open Wyckoff, whose shot splashed through to force overtime and bring a roar from the crowd at Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
.
Game 3
The Connecticut SunConnecticut Sun
The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded in Orlando, Florida before the 1999 season began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season...
rallied within a basket before the Sacramento Monarchs
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
moved within one win of a WNBA title.
Yolanda Griffith
Yolanda Griffith
Yolanda Evette Griffith is a former American professional basketball who played in both the ABL, and WNBA. A Former WNBA MVP she is considered one of the greatest rebounders and defensive players in the history of Women's Basketball. She last played in the WNBA as a member of the Indiana Fever...
had 19 points and 11 rebounds and the Monarchs withstood a comeback by the Sun in a 66-55 victory that gave them a 2-1 lead in the WNBA Finals
WNBA Finals
The WNBA Finals is the championship series of the Women's National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each fall. The series was named the WNBA Championship until 2002....
.
The Monarchs, who lost Game 2 in overtime after allowing a tying 3-pointer before the regulation buzzer, can claim their first championship with a win in Game 4 of the best-of-five series.
Griffith had a pair of baskets in a 9-0 burst that gave Sacramento its largest lead at 50-36 with just over 12 minutes to play. However, Connecticut used a 12-0 surge to get back in the game.
Two free throws by Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
, who scored 17 points, made it 57-55 with 3:16 left. But those were the last points for the Sun, who appeared to wilt down the stretch.
After Kara Lawson
Kara Lawson
-External links:**...
went backdoor for a layup, Jamie Carey
Jamie Carey
Jamie Leigh Carey was a professional basketball player, playing the point guard position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA until her retirement in 2009...
missed a fast-break layup and Sales missed underneath. Ticha Penicheiro
Ticha Penicheiro
Ticha Penicheiro is a Portuguese professional basketball player who plays for Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA...
split a pair of free throws for a 60-55 lead with 59 seconds to go.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin had 16 points and 13 boards for the Sun, who committed 16 turnovers and made just 10-of-19 free throws.
Connecticut All-Star guard Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
, who sat out Game 2 with knee and ankle injuries, returned but managed just two points and two assists with five turnovers in 23 minutes.
Game 4
It took nine years, but the Sacramento MonarchsSacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
can finally call themselves WNBA royalty.
The Monarchs won their first WNBA title, riding All-Star Yolanda Griffith
Yolanda Griffith
Yolanda Evette Griffith is a former American professional basketball who played in both the ABL, and WNBA. A Former WNBA MVP she is considered one of the greatest rebounders and defensive players in the history of Women's Basketball. She last played in the WNBA as a member of the Indiana Fever...
and rallying for a frantic 62-59 victory over the hard-luck Connecticut Sun
Connecticut Sun
The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded in Orlando, Florida before the 1999 season began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season...
.
An original WNBA franchise, the Monarchs won the best-of-five series in four games. They went 7-1 in the postseason, losing only Game 2 of this series in overtime at Connecticut.
Sacramento trailed by 11 points in the first half and led by 10 in the second half before the game came down to a final shot. With a chance to tie the game, Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
fired an airball on a 3-pointer, allowing ARCO Arena
ARCO Arena
Power Balance Pavilion is an indoor arena, located in the Natomas area of Sacramento, California. It is the home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.-Background:...
to finally celebrate.
A former WNBA MVP and the team leader, Griffith had 14 points and 10 rebounds for her second straight double-double. She averaged 18.5 points and 9.8 rebounds in the series and was named Finals MVP.
Awards
- 2005 WNBA Champion: Sacramento MonarchsSacramento MonarchsThe Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
- Finals MVP: Yolanda GriffithYolanda GriffithYolanda Evette Griffith is a former American professional basketball who played in both the ABL, and WNBA. A Former WNBA MVP she is considered one of the greatest rebounders and defensive players in the history of Women's Basketball. She last played in the WNBA as a member of the Indiana Fever...
Rosters
{| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 95%; width: 100%;"|-
! colspan="2" style="background-color: #483B8D; color: #FFFFFF; text-align: center;" | 2005 Sacramento Monarchs Finals roster
|- style="background-color: #483B8D;color: #FFFFFF; text-align: center;"
! Players !! Coaches
|-
| valign="top" |
{| class="sortable" style="background:transparent; margin:0px; width:100%;"
! Pos. !! # !! Nat. !! Name !! Height !! Weight !!class="unsortable"| !! From
|-
{| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 95%; width: 100%;"
|-
! colspan="2" style="background-color: #092C57; color: #FFC322; text-align: center;" | 2005 Connecticut Sun Finals roster
|- style="background-color: #B22222;color: #FFFFFF; text-align: center;"
! Players !! Coaches
|-
| valign="top" |
{| class="sortable" style="background:transparent; margin:0px; width:100%;"
! Pos. !! # !! Nat. !! Name !! Height !! Weight !!class="unsortable"| !! From
|-