Liberty Edge Closer to Historic Title with Thrilling Win
In a nail-biting finish, the New York Liberty secured a crucial 80-77 victory over the Minnesota Lynx in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. Sabrina Ionescu’s clutch three-pointer with just one second left on the clock sealed the deal, putting the Liberty ahead 2-1 in the series.
A Comeback for the Ages
Trailing by 15 points, the Liberty staged an incredible comeback, marking the third-largest deficit overcome in WNBA Finals history. Breanna Stewart’s phenomenal performance, scoring 30 points, including 22 in the second half, proved instrumental in the Liberty’s resurgence.
Stewart Shines Bright
“We don’t win this game without Stewie,” Ionescu acknowledged. “What she was able to do for us tonight willed us back into the game.” Stewart’s dominance was evident, with her scoring the final five points of the third quarter and the first eight points of the fourth quarter.
Ionescu’s Game-Winner
With the game tied at 77, Ionescu dribbled around, creating space before launching a 28-foot three-pointer that broke the tie. “I didn’t really remember it. I had to look at the video real quickly and see how far I was,” she said. This shot marked the fourth go-ahead three-pointer in the final 5 seconds of a game in WNBA Finals history.
Lynx Fight Hard but Fall Short
Minnesota guard Kayla McBride praised Ionescu’s game-winner, saying, “Great player made a good shot. I guarded her for 40 minutes.” The Lynx fought valiantly, with Napheesa Collier scoring 22 points and McBride adding 19. Collier now holds the record for most points in a single postseason in WNBA history.
Liberty’s Historic Pursuit
The Liberty, seeking their first title, will look to capitalize on their momentum in Game 4 on Friday night in Minnesota. If necessary, a deciding fifth game will take place in New York on Sunday.
Leave a Reply