Breanna Stewart scored 30 points and Sabrina Ionescu made a game-winning 3-pointer from the top of the key with one second remaining to help the New York Liberty defeat the Minnesota Lynx 80-77 on Wednesday night, gaining a 2-1 lead in the WNBA Finals.
New York Liberty might capture their first championship with only one more win. Minnesota will host Game 4 on Friday night, and if needed, a decisive fifth game will take place in New York on Sunday. Sabrina Ionescu had the ball and dribbled around to break the tie at 77. He then pulled up a few steps behind the arc and made the game-ending 3-pointer.
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The Liberty have lost all five of their previous finals appearances, including the one from last season. With 2:26 remaining in the fourth quarter, behind 73-69, the Liberty scored eight baskets in a row, including Jonquel Jones' first five. With 55.5 remaining, Ionescu, who had a comparatively quiet game, made another 3-pointer following a Minnesota Lynx miss to make it 77-73.
Minnesota Lynx was not able to stop the shot
It was knotted 77-77 with 16 seconds remaining when Bridget Carleton pushed past the defender for a layup and Napheesa Collier made two free throws. With 10.9 seconds remaining, the Lynx had to give up a foul, which allowed New York to have another possession. After the ball was inbounded, Sabrina Lonescu dribbled a few times at the top of the key before pulling up and making a long 3-pointer from around 30 feet out to win the game. Before the buzzer at the opposite end, Minnesota was unable to get a shot off.
Ionescu scored 13 points in the end. Stewart had 11 rebounds and 30 points which put her ahead of Minnesota. Kayla McBride contributed 19 points. For Minnesota, Napheesa Collier scored 22 points to reach her 22-point lead and Kayla McBride scored 19.
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