Sabrina Ionescu's game-winner didn't just end Game 3, it ended the series

Sabrina Ionescu likely knew what was on the line when she rose up for what might end up as the biggest shot in New York Liberty history.

Although Game 3 against the Minnesota Lynx would have remained tied and headed for overtime had she missed, the Lynx had the advantage of a home crowd to give them energy to push through. Ionescu knew it was better to end things sooner than later.

So, with the game clock winding down, she shook Kayla McBride with a left-handed hesi and side-step just a couple steps outside the half-court logo and pulled a long 3-pointer that was more of a vortex the way it took every bit of oxygen in the Target Center into the net with it.

Game. … And series.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST SHOTS IN LIBERTY FINALS HISTORY FROM SABRINA IONESCU

The Liberty takes Game 3! #WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/Whv0AMnNl9

— WNBA (@WNBA) October 17, 2024

Technically, the series resumes with a Game 4 on Friday. But the Liberty have been the best team in the W all season and now have two games left to win one. Including a potential Game 5 back at their place. That’s why Ionescu’s shot wasn’t just a game-winner, it was a series winner.

The Lynx’s chances to recover are slim. Minnesota’s series odds at BetMGM moved from +175 before Game 3 to +640 now. They’re 3-point underdogs at their own arena for Game 4.

Game 3 will likely end up as New York’s toughest challenge. It was the first finals game in Minnesota since 2017. The crowd was electric. The first punch from the home team was a near-haymaker, as the Lynx jumped out to a 15-point lead in the opening quarter.

But the Liberty absorbed it and kept going. They got off the mat and fought back. They won. Now, there’s nothing new the Lynx can throw at the Liberty. New York saw their best punch and countered with a bigger punch. The only thing left for New York to do now is win the first title in franchise history.