Sabrina Ionescu is playing with a chip on her shoulder.
Thankfully it didn’t affect her game as the 26-year-old unleashed a 28-foot missile that sealed an 80-77 comeback win for the New York Liberty on Wednesday.
Ionescu came up clutch to seal Game 3
Ionescu soaks up the crowd’s appreciation
After losing the first game of the WNBA Finals, the Liberty are now one win over the Minnesota Lynx away from securing a maiden title for the franchise.
“Cold blooded killer,” NBA superstar Kevin Durant posted on X to sound his appreciation.
“Call game them,” added Steph Curry.
Luka Doncic, Angel Reese, Lisa Leslie and Isiah Thomas were among the names to weigh in on social media – which left fails drooling.
“What a clutch performance from Sabrina Ionescu! That shot will be remembered as one of the greatest in Liberty history. On to Game 4,” wrote a fan below a clip of the shot.
“I really didn’t realize how far out I was,” Ionescu said.
“Definitely the biggest shot of my career.”
Ionescu finished with 13 points after going five from 12 shooting and admitted it was not her best performance.
“I would say I visualize a lot when I’m practicing in the offseason, the night before a game, the day of a game,” she added.
“I’m always visualizing different scenarios and putting myself in tough situations.
“Obviously, I didn’t play my best tonight, but finding a way to continue to stick with it.
“I feel like that’s been a big growth for me, whether the ball is going in or not.”
Ionescu’s game-clinching brilliance came hours after she was named on the WNBA All-Star Second Team.
Teammate Breanna Stewart, who finished with 30 points and 11 rebounds against the Lynx, and Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier were on the First Team.
Rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, regular-season MVP A’Ja Wilson, and Alyssa Thomas also made the cut.
Ionescu’s nod was her third consecutive All-Star nomination – but she was not pleased to miss the First Team.
“That was just a great All-WNBA Second Team performance,” she said in an ice-cold rebuke of the decision.
Durant was impressed with the Liberty star’s ruthless shotAFP
X/OnHerTurfSocial media erupted after Ionescu’s gamewinner[/caption]
The Liberty, who dethroned the Las Vegas Aces in the previous round, have now secured back-to-back wins over the Lynx.
They head to Minneapolis on Friday looking to clinch the trophy and deny the Lynx the chance to become only the fifth team in WNBA history to come back from 2-1 down to win.
If they lose, Sunday’s decider will be in New York.
