It bucked the sequence’ development thus far, however the New York Liberty got here from behind to stun the Minnesota Lynx on their residence flooring, 80-77, in Sport 3 of the WNBA Finals. With one second remaining within the fourth quarter and the rating tied 77-77, Sabrina Ionescu quieted what had been a raucous Goal Middle crowd, nailing one of many largest pictures in WNBA Finals historical past to assist the Liberty safe a 2-1 sequence benefit.
“I trusted my preparation. I am constructed for this second,” Ionescu instructed ESPN’s Holly Rowe in the course of the sport broadcast. “I missed one that would’ve sealed the sport, and I simply obtained an open look, and I trusted that I might make it.”
The Lynx confirmed great resiliency, coming back to win Game 1, however on Wednesday, it was the Liberty’s flip. New York led 5-4 lower than a minute into Sport 3 however did not bounce forward of Minnesota once more till there was 1:30 remaining within the fourth quarter.
Trailing by 10 after one quarter and by as many as 15 within the first half, the Liberty outscored the Lynx 45-34 after halftime, led by Ionescu’s enormous shot and a ridiculous second-half efficiency from two-time MVP Breanna Stewart.
Wednesday’s game-winner wasn’t the one colossal shot Ionescu made within the fourth quarter. With 55.1 seconds left, she hit solely her second three-pointer of the evening after beginning 1-of-6 from past the arc, giving the Liberty a 77-73 lead.
In the meantime, Stewart had solely eight factors on the break on 3-of-8 capturing however turned it on within the second half, scoring 22 factors, almost half of the Liberty’s output. The six-time All-Star completed with a game-high 30 factors, passing Corridor of Famer Lisa Leslie for seventh on the WNBA’s all-time playoff scoring list.
Her efficiency was additionally historic:
Conversely, Minnesota crumbled underneath the strain late after popping out with weapons blazing in entrance of the largest crowd in the franchise’s history. Coming into the fourth quarter up by one, 62-61, the Lynx shot simply 5-of-12 within the last stanza, all however sealing their destiny.
Regardless of the loss, the Lynx obtained stellar outings from Napheesa Collier (22 factors, 9 rebounds, 5 steals) and Kayla McBride (19 factors, 5 three-pointers). Though, after giving the Liberty their greatest shot, they’re going to have to return to the drafting board forward of Sport 4 on Friday.
Falling behind the Lynx within the best-of-five sequence, 1-0, the Liberty have responded in a giant approach. First, with a powerful 14-point victory in Sport 2 adopted by Wednesday’s come-from-behind effort, proving they will win any fashion of sport put in entrance of them.
Now, just one extra victory stands between New York and its first WNBA title.
