What if we witnessed the most beautiful WNBA final in history? We’ll have to wait to find out, but like the completely crazy Game 1, the Liberty and the Lynx put on an incredible show, and tonight, it’s Sabrina Ionescu who entered the legend with a 3-pointer scored at the last second to offer victory to New York (80-77) in Game 3 on the floor of Minneapolis. Liberty regains control in the series (2-1), and is only one victory away from its first title.
This encounter is the perfect negative of Game 1 since Breanna Stewart’s teammates chased the score throughout the match, before carrying out the perfect hold-up. Sandy Brondello’s players only led for two minutes, and were up to 15 points behind in the match…
a la Damian Lillard
Trailing 73-69 two minutes from time, Liberty took the lead 8-0, with a big number from Jonquel Jones. Then Sabrina Ionescu, discreet until then, will give four points in advance 55 seconds from the siren (77-73).
In front of their home crowd, the Lynx held on. First it was Bridget Carleton who brought her team to -2 with 34 seconds left on a lay-up.
Behind, Sabrina Ionescu misses a 3-pointer, and Napheesa Collier sanctions free throws after a foul coming out of timeout. There are 16 seconds left to play. The Lynx still have a foul to give, and they do it with 10 seconds remaining. The ball to Sabrina Ionescu, and to Damian Lillard, she swings a huge 3-pointer from 10 meters. There is one second left, and the Lynx won’t even have the chance to equalize.
Breanna Stewart ran the house
“I don’t even remember that shot…I’ll have to watch the video to see how far away I was” Sabrina Ionescu reacts. “I feel like I was able to create distance and have a good shot to take. » Well defended throughout the match, the Liberty rear saved the best for last.
“It’s quite unique. There was never any doubt. Stewie brought us back into the match, she pushed us to do it, but I told myself that at the right time, it was Sabrina,” said Sandy Brondello. “She makes a huge shot. She’s a great shooter and just needed a little space. »
Before Sabrina Ionescu’s feat, it was actually Breanna Stewart who had kept the team at arm’s length, with 30 points, including 22 in the first half.
“There are a lot of things we didn’t do well tonight, and we’re going to have to quickly remember them. We are happy to have won, but the work is not finished” she recalls. “We know we are one victory away from shooting, but they are going to give everything. Everything is going very quickly, but we will be ready. »
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
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