With one second left on the clock, Sabrina Ionescu delivered a dagger 28-foot 3-pointer, giving the New York Liberty a thrilling 80-77 victory over the Minnesota Lynx. The win moved New York within a single game of claiming their first WNBA title, leading the finals 2-1.
Ionescu’s Game-Winning Moment Was Magic
It wasn’t just another shot for Sabrina Ionescu. The star guard barely remembered it until she watched the replay. But everyone else at the Target Center will remember it for years to come.
- With the game tied at 77, Ionescu dribbled behind the arc.
- She launched from 28 feet, breaking the tie and bringing the Liberty to the edge of WNBA history.
- Her game-winner marked just the fourth go-ahead 3-pointer in WNBA Finals history with less than five seconds on the clock.
For Ionescu, it wasn’t just about making the shot, but about creating the space she needed to pull it off. “I got a little separation and a really good shot to go,” she said, summing up her defining moment in what could be the Liberty’s biggest series.
Breanna Stewart Carries Liberty Again
Breanna Stewart didn’t need a game-winner—she had already carried the Liberty on her back the entire second half. Scoring 22 of her 30 points in the final two quarters, Stewart was nearly unstoppable.
Stewart’s 30-point game marked another career playoff highlight. Her four blocked shots and 11 rebounds rounded out a performance that willed New York to victory, even after they had trailed by as many as 15 points.
Ionescu was quick to credit her teammate’s brilliance: “We don’t win this game without Stewie,” she said. Stewart’s contributions weren’t just crucial—they were game-changing. As the Liberty closed the gap, it became clear Stewart had no intention of letting her team falter.
A Historic Comeback Pushes Liberty Forward
The Liberty’s ability to erase a double-digit deficit in such a high-stakes game was remarkable. Minnesota had flipped the narrative from the first two games, building a double-digit lead by the third quarter.
But New York wasn’t done. They managed to close within one point by the end of the third, setting up the drama in the final period. The Liberty’s comeback was the third-largest in WNBA Finals history, a stat that further cemented their never-say-die attitude.
New York barely led for more than two minutes in the game—just 2 minutes and 19 seconds. Yet they came out on top. A similar scenario occurred in Game 2 of the 1999 Finals, where New York’s famous buzzer-beater helped them win with even less time in the lead.
Minnesota’s Kayla McBride Held Her Own
While the Liberty celebrated their last-second heroics, the Lynx had plenty to be proud of, despite the loss. Kayla McBride spent 40 minutes guarding Ionescu, and her defense gave Minnesota a chance to win.
“Great player made a good shot,” McBride said, showing no signs of frustration. Her own play was steady, as she and Napheesa Collier carried the Lynx offense. Collier finished with 22 points, and McBride added 19. Collier’s postseason scoring has now reached historic levels, with 249 points in the 2024 playoffs—surpassing Diana Taurasi’s 2009 record.
Minnesota will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for a do-or-die Game 4. After nearly pulling off the win, the Lynx’s defense was sharp. They just didn’t quite get the offense they needed to stay ahead of a Liberty team riding high.
