Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu Wow Fans as Liberty Win WNBA Finals Game 3 vs. Lynx
Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVOctober 17, 2024
Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu were not to be denied.
The former was spectacular on Wednesday night, pacing her team with 30 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in a crucial 80-77 win over the Minnesota Lynx in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.
And Ionescu… well, she did this:
WNBA @WNBAONE OF THE BIGGEST SHOTS IN LIBERTY FINALS HISTORY FROM SABRINA IONESCU 😱🔥
The Liberty takes Game 3! #WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/Whv0AMnNl9
Nancy Armour @nrarmour”I’m built for his moment.”
Yes Sab, yes you are. My word.
Kevin Durant @KDTrey5Cold blooded killer @sabrina_i20
Isaiah Thomas @isaiahthomasOMG!!!!!!!! That was cold blooded
Luka Doncic @luka7doncicWhat a shot🔥🔥🔥
It was a brilliant night from the star duo, giving the Liberty a 2-1 lead in the series.
WNBA @WNBASTEW IS COOKIN’ 🔥🥘
Dropping a 30-piece as we head into the final stretch… it’s a tie game in the 4Q!#WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/nkGyC0Go9m
WNBA @WNBASTEWIE MAKES IT A 1-PT GAME TO CLOSE THE THIRD 🔥#WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/WhZrntpNj4
WNBA @WNBAThe bucket that moved Stewie up on the All-Time Playoff Points list ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/t6DXr92GgL
Fans and pundits couldn’t believe what they saw from the Liberty pair:
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportStewie ties Maya Moore for the MOST WNBA Final games with at least 20 PTS 🐐 pic.twitter.com/wKHHQtYzcf
kimberly. @problemsthotsStewie heard all that best in the world talk and had to intervene. pic.twitter.com/VmxorYz4pi
kimberly. @problemsthotsBreanna Stewart tonight: pic.twitter.com/o14ZdDahwL
Tyler DeLuca @TylerDeLucaBreanna Stewart in the third quarter #WNBA pic.twitter.com/K15afzDHeU
MarkJonesESPN @MarkJonesESPNStewie is on one🔥
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkinsStewie!!!! God Bless America.
Jim Trotter @JimTrotter_NFLSometimes you just have to tip your cap. Hell of a shot by Ionescu. 🫡
Andrew Brandt @AndrewBrandtMoney. #SabrinaIonescu
Bob Ryan @GlobeBobRyanI was watching Sabrina Ionescu hit the big shot. Hope you were, too. Sabrina was Caitlin before Caitlin.
Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynskiIncredible game. Unbelievable shot from Sabrina. Lynx missed a bunch of bunnies in the second half that they will regret
Zach Harper @talkhoopsSabrina IonesCOLDBLOODED
Andrew Perloff @andrewperloffSabrina Ionescu is such a killer.
If the Lynx committed theft after stealing Game 1, they failed to lock their own house’s doors in Game 3.
From the 8:34 mark in the first quarter until there was just one minute and 31 seconds remaining in the game, the Lynx held the lead in front of their home crowd. It appeared the team would go up 2-1 in the series behind the efforts of Napheesa Collier (22 points, nine boards, five steals) and Kayla McBride (19 points, 5-of-9 from three).
But the Liberty showed resilience, finally taking the lead again on a Jonquel Jones three, before Ionescu—who had just seven points in the game before scoring six in the final minute alone—dropped one of her own to put the Liberty in the driver’s seat:
WNBA @WNBAJonquel Jones gives the Liberty their FIRST lead of the game ‼️#WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/duU0HUfZ7B
WNBA @WNBASABRINA. IONESCU.
LIBERTY LEADS BY 4 WITH 55.5 LEFT ON THE CLOCK.#WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/jXCXdFrVqS
The Lynx would go on to tie it at 77 apiece with just 16 seconds remaining, setting the stage for Ionescu’s dramatic, brilliant and unforgettable finish.
This series has been remarkable, setting the stage for what should be an epic battle in Game 4 (Friday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN) as the Lynx look to keep their season alive. If Stewart and Ionescu are cooking, though, there might not be any stopping the Liberty.
