WNBA finals: Ionescu’s last-second three-pointer seals thrilling Liberty victory

Sabrina Ionescu hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer from the top of the key with one second left and Breanna Stewart scored 30 points to help the New York Liberty beat the Minnesota Lynx 80-77 on Wednesday night and take a 2-1 lead in the WNBA finals.

With the score tied at 77-77, Ionescu dribbled before pulling up a few steps behind the arc and hitting the three-pointer that broke the tie.

The Liberty have been to the finals five times before, including last season, and lost them all. They are now one win away from winning their first title.

Trailing 73-69 and leading 2:26 into the fourth quarter, the Liberty scored eight straight points, including Jonquel Jones’ first five. Ionescu, who had a relatively quiet game, then hit another three-pointer after a Lynx miss to make it 77-73 with 55 seconds left.

Bridget Carleton got the Lynx within 77-75 with a layup 21 seconds later. On New York’s next possession, Ionescu got a three-pointer halfway to the basket before fouling out and Minnesota got the rebound. Napheesa Collier was then fouled with 16 seconds left and hit both free throws to tie the game, making for a thrilling finish.

Collier finished with 22 points and Kayla McBride 19 for Minnesota.

Game 4 is Friday evening in Minnesota with a decisive fifth game Sunday in New York if necessary.