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…
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 16: Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty reacts after hitting a game winning three point basket to defeat the Minnesota Lynx 80-77 in Game Three of the WNBA Finals at Target Center on October 16, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)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.
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.
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.
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.
