Liberty coach reveals reason behind trusting Sabrina Ionescu over red-hot Breanna Stewart for game-winning shot: "Not everyone can make them"

Liberty stars Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart were instrumental in New York’s 80-77 win over the Minnesota Lynx in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday, giving their team a 2-1 series lead and putting them one victory away from their first championship in franchise history.

After falling behind by 15 points, Stewart had a remarkable second half, scoring half of the Liberty’s total points to narrow the gap. Ultimately, it was Ionescu who nailed the game-winning 3-pointer from the logo to clinch the victory.

Following the game, Liberty coach Sandy Brondello commended her two stars for their pivotal roles in the comeback, stating that giving Ionescu the opportunity to take the decisive shot was an obvious choice.

"It was never in doubt. Stewie got us back in there, willed us in there... but Sabrina, she's just a shooter... Not everyone can make 'em, she can," Brondello said (per Myles Ehrlich).

Sabrina Ionescu finished the game with 13 points on 5-for-12 shooting, including three 3-pointers, one of which was the game-winner. She also contributed six assists and five rebounds.

Stewart had a standout performance with 30 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks, scoring 22 points, grabbing seven rebounds and blocking three shots in the second half alone to fuel the Liberty’s comeback against the Lynx.

Before the game, both Stewart and Ionescu were recognized with selections to the First and Second All-WNBA Teams, respectively.

Sabrina Ionescu reveals what her coach said before game-winning shot

During the postgame press conference, Sabrina Ionescu revealed that Sandy Brondello had given her the green light to take the game-winning shot.

“I mean, I don't, I didn't even really remember it. I had to go look at the video really quickly to see how far I was. But I mean, you know, in the time out, Sandy kind of was just like, ‘you're gonna shoot the shot,’” Ionescu said.

“And, you know, I feel like I was able to get a little separation in range and get a really good shot to go. Obviously, wanting to let the shot clock wind down and kind of got the space that I needed to be able to get my feet under me and feel comfortable taking that shot.”

Sabrina Ionescu has a career 3-point shooting percentage of 36.3%, but this season, she averaged 33.2% from beyond the arc, her second lowest. While she celebrated her game-winner, Ionescu acknowledged Stewart’s crucial role in leading New York’s comeback.

“We don't win this game without Stewie. I mean, what she was able to do just continue to chip away … she was able to just will us back into that game.”

The Liberty will look to capture their first-ever championship on Friday. If necessary, a decisive Game 5 will be held on Oct. 20.