The New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals thanks to heroics from star guard Sabrina Ionescu.
With the score tied at 77 in the closing seconds, Ionescu swished a step back three pointer to win the game and give the Liberty a two games to one lead in the best of five WNBA Finals series. It was one of the most epic shots in WNBA history and a furious Liberty comeback led ESPN’s Ryan Ruocco to almost lose his voice in excitement.
After the game, Ionescu was equally as clutch.
Earlier in the day, she was named to the Second Team All-WNBA. Ahead of her on the First Team were Napheesa Collier, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Caitlin Clark, and Alyssa Thomas.
When asked about it after the game, Ionescu had the perfect response that her mentor Kobe Bryant would be proud of.
“Are you sure you’re not pissed about not being named First Team All-WNBA? ‘Cause you sure played, in the last minute, like you were trying to prove a point.”
Sabrina Ionescu: “That was just a great All-WNBA Second Team performance.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/6DptRzdyJZ
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) October 17, 2024
While Ionescu just had 13 points, her shotmaking down the stretch was clutch as the Liberty overcame a 15 point deficit to win.
The WNBA Finals had already recorded impressive viewership totals, even without a boost from Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Although Clark’s playoff games were higher rated, the league has seen extraordinary ratings throughout the season and in the playoffs even after the Fever’s ouster.
Given the viral nature of Ionescu’s buzzer beater, there should be a massive audience that tunes in for Game 4 on Friday night with little competition from the NFL and college football.
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