Sabrina Ionescu shines as the New York Liberty stun the Minnesota Lynx in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.

 Sabrina Ionescu shines as the New York Liberty stun the Minnesota Lynx in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.

Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty are just one victory away from securing the franchise’s first WNBA title after an exhilarating 80-77 win over the Minnesota Lynx in Game 3 of the finals on Wednesday, giving them a 2-1 series lead.

With the score tied at 77 in the closing moments at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Liberty star Ionescu sank a clutch three-pointer from near the logo with just over two seconds left on the clock.

The Liberty faced challenges leading up to that pivotal shot, trailing at halftime against Lynx guard Kayla McBride, who had racked up 13 points in the first half.

However, the Liberty fought back in the second half, spurred by Breanna Stewart. Midway through the fourth quarter, Stewart’s three-pointer tied the game at 66. The teams traded scores, and a layup from Liberty forward Jonquel Jones gave them the lead. Ionescu then extended the advantage with a three-pointer, putting the Liberty up 77-73 with under a minute to go.

But the Lynx weren’t done yet; star Napheesa Collier converted both her free throws, leveling the score at 77 with just 16 seconds remaining.

Despite struggling for much of the game, Ionescu received the inbound pass and delivered a heroic performance, completing a remarkable 15-point comeback—one of the largest in WNBA Finals history.

Stewart posted an impressive stat line with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks, while Ionescu contributed 13 points, six assists, and five rebounds. After the game, Ionescu joked about not recalling the final play.

“I had to check the video quickly to see how far I was,” she said, adding, “Sometimes it goes in and sometimes it doesn’t. I’ve practiced that shot a thousand times—in my head and on the court. As athletes, we put ourselves in those positions, wanting to make the shot.”

Ionescu later declared it the “biggest shot of my career, and hopefully not the last.”

Game 4 is set for Friday at 8 p.m. ET in Minneapolis.

Stewart acknowledged the team is on the brink of their first title but emphasized that their work isn’t finished. “We know we’re one game away from winning the championship, and they’ll give us their best shot. They’ll leave it all on the court, and so will we. The turnaround is quick, but we’re ready.”

Despite the loss, Lynx star Napheesa Collier made history of her own. The 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year scored 22 points, bringing her postseason total to 249—surpassing Diana Taurasi for the most points in a single postseason in WNBA history, a record set in 2009.