The New York Liberty entered Game 3 of the 2024 WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx tied at one game apiece.
By the time it was over, it had become abundantly clear that there was no way that Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu was going to let them be down 2-1.
Despite trailing by as much as 15 points, Ionescu and Breanna Stewart led the Liberty back with a furious second-half performance that ended with Sabrina sinking a dagger with seconds left to secure the 80-77 victory.
New York is now one game away from their first-ever WNBA Championship.
Along for the ride on that epic second-half comeback was ESPN announcer Ryan Ruocco, who was practically losing his voice by the end of the game thanks to all the huge shots.
When Stewart helped the Liberty pull within two points late in the game, the ESPN broadcaster “ACTIVATED” just as she did.
“Breanna Stewart… ACTIVATING… in Game 3!” – Ryan Ruocco pic.twitter.com/xk0e8pHRrT
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 17, 2024
Later, when Ionescu hit a dagger three with just under a minute left, he was right there to punctuate it.
“Ionescu, a three… YOU BET!” – Ryan Ruocco 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZLZrQ7ae6P
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 17, 2024
The Lynx refused to stop fighting and evened things up with only a handful of seconds left. That’s when Ionescu unleashed her logo-deep three-pointer to seal the victory, sending Ruocco’s vocal cords into a frenzied state.
“Ionescu will heeeeaaave… AND HIT!!! AAAAND HIT!!! Sabrina Ionescu with the biggest shot in Liberty history!” – Ryan Ruocco pic.twitter.com/HYuyNb2Lbs
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 17, 2024
While Sabrina and Stewart were the stars of the night, Ruocco got plenty of praise as well for his calls.
Great call from RR https://t.co/fhDeoyG6XD
— Cari Champion (@CariChampion) October 17, 2024
A SPECTACULAR CALL BY @RyanRuocco #lovesportscasting #inthebooth
CC: @wfuvsports https://t.co/9QLBPys7U4
— Phil Giubileo (@philgpbp) October 17, 2024
Game 4 is set for Friday when the Liberty hope to close things out for their first title in franchise history.
[ESPN]
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.