The New York Liberty moved a step closer to their first-ever WNBA championship, thanks to Sabrina Ionescu’s incredible game-winning shot.
On Wednesday night, Ionescu nailed a deep 28-foot three-pointer with only one second left, sealing the Liberty’s 80-77 win over the Minnesota Lynx in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.
“I knew it was going in as soon as it left my hand,” Ionescu said afterward. “Without a doubt, this is the biggest shot of my career.”
Liberty Overcome Adversity, Sabrina Ionescu Delivers Under Pressure
Ionescu’s game-winner capped off a remarkable comeback for the Liberty, who had trailed by as many as 15 points earlier in the game. Despite struggling throughout the night, the star guard stayed mentally tough and came through in the clutch.
“I practice moments like that constantly,” she said. “Even when things aren’t going my way, it’s about staying focused and trusting my work. That’s where I’ve grown the most this season.”
Ionescu’s cold shooting—4-of-11 before the game-winner—didn’t stop her from stepping up when it mattered most. Her shot was a reminder of why she is one of the WNBA’s most dangerous players.
A Tight Series Full of Momentum Shifts
The thrilling Game 3 mirrored the intensity that has defined the entire Finals series. Minnesota pulled off an upset in Game 1 with a 95-93 overtime victory after erasing an 18-point deficit. This time, it was the Liberty who mounted a comeback, stunning the 19,521 fans at Target Center.
“It’s all about mental toughness,” said Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve. “We competed hard, but New York just made one more big play than we did.”
Stewart’s Dominance Leads the Way
While Ionescu’s buzzer-beater grabbed the headlines, Breanna Stewart was the true anchor for New York. The former MVP poured in 30 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and blocked four shots, keeping the Liberty afloat when the game seemed to slip away.
“We don’t win this without Stewie,” Sabrina Ionescu said. “She carried us all night.”
Stewart’s 14 points in the third quarter ignited a Liberty rally, cutting Minnesota’s lead to 62-61 heading into the final period. Her efforts helped New York recover from a slow start, as they trailed 28-18 after the first quarter and were down 43-35 at halftime.
Lynx Fight to Stay Alive, Liberty Eye History
The series now shifts to Game 4 on Friday, with Minnesota needing a win to force a decisive Game 5 back in New York. The Lynx are no strangers to overcoming adversity—they’ve previously come back from a 2-1 deficit to win the Finals, most recently in 2017.
“We’ve done it before, and we’ll be ready to do it again,” Reeve said.
For the Liberty, the stakes couldn’t be higher. As one of the WNBA’s founding franchises, New York has endured five Finals losses. Now, with just one more win, they can finally claim their first championship.
Sabrina Ionescu Joins the Ranks of WNBA Legends
Sabrina Ionescu’s game-winner places her in elite company. She becomes just the fourth player in WNBA Finals history to hit a game-winning three in the final five seconds, joining icons like Maya Moore, Nikki Teasley, and Teresa Weatherspoon.
Fittingly, Ionescu’s shot mirrors Weatherspoon’s unforgettable half-court buzzer-beater in 1999, the only other instance where the Liberty won a Finals game with a last-second three. New York’s brief lead on Wednesday—just 2 minutes and 19 seconds in total—was the second-shortest time spent ahead in a WNBA Finals win.
Sabrina Ionescu’s Journey to Stardom
Sabrina Ionescu’s path to this moment hasn’t been easy. Selected first overall in the 2020 draft, her rookie season was cut short after just three games due to an ankle injury. She also had to leave the WNBA’s COVID-19 bubble, watching from the sidelines as her team finished with a disappointing 2-20 record.
However, the Liberty rebuilt in the offseason, bringing in stars like Breanna Stewart, Courtney Vandersloot, and Jonquel Jones. With a bolstered roster, New York finished the 2023 season with the league’s best record at 32-8.
“This season has been all about growth,” Sabrina Ionescu reflected. “We’ve faced setbacks, but we believe in each other and have learned what it takes to win.”
One Step Away from History
Game 4 on Friday promises to be another fierce battle. Minnesota will fight to extend their season, while New York aims to close out the series and make history with their first WNBA title.
“We’re ready to finish this,” Sabrina Ionescu said. “This city and this team have waited long enough.”
The Liberty’s moment is within reach. Now, they just have to seize it.