Sabrina Ionescu Hits Game Winning Shot for the Ages
Sabrina Ionescu had her Michael Jordan moment, and the New York Liberty are now a win away from the franchise first ever WNBA title.
Ionescu, nailed the game-winning three-pointer with 2.1 seconds to go in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, when she stepped back and drained a 28-foot jumper near the top of the key to send New York to a thrilling 80-77 victory over the Minnesota Lynx.
Sabrina Ionescu. The Queen of NY 👑 pic.twitter.com/nqOBzZXc87 Sabrina Ionescu. The Queen of NY 👑 pic.twitter.com/nqOBzZXc87
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024Sabrina Ionescu. The Queen of NY 👑 pic.twitter.com/nqOBzZXc87
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse)Sabrina Ionescu. The Queen of NY 👑 pic.twitter.com/nqOBzZXc87
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) October 17, 2024
Before Caitlin Clark took the WNBA by storm this year, Ionescu was the all-world college player out of Oregon who was the first overall selection by the Liberty back in 2019. And now she is one step closer to delivering the first title in Liberty history, and the first professional sports title to New York City since NYCFC won the MLS Cup in 2021, and of course, the New York Giants Super Bowl win before that in 2011.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST SHOTS IN LIBERTY FINALS HISTORY FROM SABRINA IONESCU 😱🔥 ONE OF THE BIGGEST SHOTS IN LIBERTY FINALS HISTORY FROM SABRINA IONESCU 😱🔥
The Liberty takes Game 3! #WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/Whv0AMnNl9
The Liberty takes Game 3! #WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/Whv0AMnNl9
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024ONE OF THE BIGGEST SHOTS IN LIBERTY FINALS HISTORY FROM SABRINA IONESCU 😱🔥
— WNBA (@WNBA)
The Liberty takes Game 3! #WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/Whv0AMnNl9ONE OF THE BIGGEST SHOTS IN LIBERTY FINALS HISTORY FROM SABRINA IONESCU 😱🔥
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 17, 2024
The Liberty takes Game 3! #WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/Whv0AMnNl9
Many have already compared Ionescu’s shot to the many game-clinching shots by the late great Kobe Bryant in the clutch. Understandably so. But. the setup, the shot, and the ice in the veins, also conjured up memories of Michael Jordan in the ’98 Finals against Utah.
While she didn’t have a great game statistically speaking, hitting on five of 12 shots for 13 points, and coming up clutch in the biggest moment in one of the biggest games of the year, is all that matters for New York and WNBA history.
Of course, Ionescu didn’t do it alone. Brenna Stewart led the way with 30 points on nine of 20 shooting, including a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line. Stewart has been incredible all series, including coming back in Game 2 to net 21 points in New York’s 80-66 win to even up this series.
"That was just a great All-WNBA Second Team performance. That's it." "That was just a great All-WNBA Second Team performance. That's it."
Sabrina Ionescu mic drop 🎤 pic.twitter.com/fU8klJlV6Z
Sabrina Ionescu mic drop 🎤 pic.twitter.com/fU8klJlV6Z
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024"That was just a great All-WNBA Second Team performance. That's it."
— New York Liberty Videos (@SNYLiberty)
Sabrina Ionescu mic drop 🎤 pic.twitter.com/fU8klJlV6Z"That was just a great All-WNBA Second Team performance. That's it."
— New York Liberty Videos (@SNYLiberty) October 17, 2024
Sabrina Ionescu mic drop 🎤 pic.twitter.com/fU8klJlV6Z
The Liberty try to wrap up the series on Friday night in Minnesota. Should there be a Game 5, it will take place on Sunday in Brooklyn.
