Sabrina Ionescu downplays historic game-winner vs. Lynx, heaps praise on star teammate's lion-hearted effort

Sabrina Ionescu gave the New York Liberty a 2-1 series lead over the Minnesota Lynx in the 2024 WNBA Finals. Ionescu hit the game-winning 3-point shot in the Liberty's 80-77 win in Game 3 on Wednesday. However, the star guard downplayed her heroics and praised teammate Breanna Stewart for her performance on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Ionescu was asked about her clutch 3 from near the logo that sunk Lynx fans' hearts inside Target Center. She said she was happy with the win, but put the credit on Stewart for keeping the Liberty afloat all game.

"That shot's nice, but it doesn't go against what [Stewie] was able to do for us tonight, and how she was able to will us back into that game," Ionescu said via Winsidr's Myles Ehrlich.

The Minnesota Lynx were ahead for most of Game 3, building a 15-point lead in the first quarter. The Lynx maintained their advantage until a late third-quarter run by the Liberty. The game became close in the fourth quarter and it was tied at 77 with 10.9 seconds left.

Sabrina Ionescu got the ball and let a few seconds tick away from the clock before making a move against Kayla McBride. Ionescu shook her off and hit an insane stepback 3-point shot near the Lynx logo with a second remaining.

New York's defense in the final possession held up as the Liberty earned an 80-77 win and a 2-1 series lead. They are one win away from their first-ever championship, with Ionescu's shot likely going down as the best shot in franchise history.

Ionescu finished with 13 points, five rebounds and six assists on 5-for-12 shooting from the field. She did not have a good shooting game, but coach Sandy Brondello had enough confidence in her to pull it off.

Breanna Stewart was arguably the hero for the Liberty on the night, finishing with a game-high 30 points plus 11 rebounds and four blocks. Stewart kept New York in the game long enough for Ionescu to hit her game-winner.

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Sabrina Ionescu didn't know how far she shot her game-winner

Sabrina Ionescu didn't know how far she shot her game-winner (Image Source: IMAGN)

Fans know that Ionescu can knock down 3-point shots, but perhaps the best shot from beyond the arc of her career came in Game 3. Ionescu's 3 was one for the ages and she didn't even know how far she was until she got a good look at the replay.

"I didn't really remember it," Ionescu said via ESPN. "I had to look at the video real quickly and see how far I was. In the timeout, Sandy [Brondello] was like, 'You're going to shoot the shot.' I feel like I was able to get a little separation in range, get a really good shot to go. I let the shot clock wind down and got the space."

Game 4 of the WNBA Finals is on Friday back in Minneapolis at Target Center. The Liberty have an opportunity to win their first-ever WNBA championship with one more in the best-of-five series.

Can Ionescu and Stewart finish off the Lynx in Game 4 or will Minnesota force a Game 5? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.