Sabrina Ionescu’s Buzzer-Beater: A Momentous Shot in New York Basketball

The Target Center resounded with cheers as Sabrina Ionescu‘s buzzer-beating shot secured victory for the New York Liberty in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. The Liberty now lead the series 2-1 against the Minnesota Lynx, setting the stage for a possible first championship win for New York. Ionescu’s remarkable play is being hailed by some as the most iconic shot in New York basketball history.

The dramatic ending left the Minnesota Lynx seeking redemption, especially given their home-court advantage. Among those rallying for the Lynx is Napheesa Collier’s husband, Alex Bazzell, a prominent basketball trainer known for his work with NBA stars, including Kobe Bryant and Trae Young. Bazzell has been vocal on social media in support of his wife during the Finals. “My wife is HER!!” exclaimed Bazzell on X, formerly known as Twitter, after Collier’s notable Game 1 performance.

Debates sparked online regarding Ionescu’s shot placing number two in a fan-led listing of the top five New York basketball shots over the last 50 years. The anticipation is that if the Liberty secure the Finals, Ionescu’s shot might ascend to number one. Bazzell humorously responded to a fan’s query about Trae Young’s absence in the rankings, underlining the rivalry and friendly banter between New York and Atlanta fans.

Despite Bazzell’s pro-Lynx stance, sports analysts contend that the Liberty’s prospects remain strong. Ionescu has received accolades from none other than NBA superstar Stephen Curry, affirming the prowess and significance of her clutch performance. In an interaction with the New York Post, Ionescu attributed her success to rigorous off-season training, “visualizing a defender in front of me and visualizing that high-pressure situation because that’s just who I am and I want to be in that situation,” she stated.

The game witnessed a tense finale. With the score tied at 77-77 and mere seconds remaining, Liberty coach Sandy Brondello called a timeout. Ionescu was tasked with executing the decisive play, initially aiming to maneuver to the left but instead drew a foul from the Lynx. Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart‘s awareness contributed to the final play’s success. “We wanted to get her on her left hand so that’s why it was a little bit clunky, but the result was good in the end,” Brondello reflected.

Ionescu’s ability to calmly deliver under pressure, especially following last season’s disappointment against the Las Vegas Aces, highlights her growth and determination. The Liberty’s focus now shifts to securing just one more win to clinch the coveted championship.