Teresa Weatherspoon has a shot that will live in WNBA lore for decades to come. It happened during the 1999 WNBA Finals when she played for the New York Liberty and faced the Houston Comets. Houston was leading 67-65 with 2.4 seconds left in Game 2, and it seemed that they were on their way to winning their third consecutive championship. But Weatherspoon had other plans.
With an improbable half-court shot, Weatherspoon launched the ball and banked it in to give the Liberty an unexpected 68-67 victory. The shot was one of the first iconic moments in WNBA history and stunned fans and players alike. Even the Liberty’s own players didn’t expect the immediate answer after Tina Thompson’s go-ahead basket for Houston.
For Weatherspoon, that shot meant more than just a game-winner. It was a symbol of resilience and strength during a difficult time. She played the entire season with a heavy heart, having lost her 19-year-old nephew in a car crash and her best friend, Kim Perrot, to lung cancer.
Despite the Liberty’s loss in Game 3 the next day, Weatherspoon’s shot will forever be remembered as a moment of brilliance and determination. Houston coach Van Chancellor still recalls the sleepless night following the shot and the pressure of Game 3.
Fast forward 25 years, and Weatherspoon is now the head coach of the Chicago Sky. She has a successful career and many accomplishments to be proud of. However, the memory of that missed championship opportunity still lingers.
Whenever she sees someone from that team or hears about “The Shot,” Weatherspoon can’t help but feel a pang of regret. But she also acknowledges the strength and effort her team displayed in that unforgettable moment.
As she continues her coaching journey, Weatherspoon remains a symbol of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. Her legacy goes beyond that one shot, but it will always be a defining moment in her career.
(Top photo: Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE via Getty Images)
