Sabrina Defining Moment put Liberty on the Brink of History

By Darnell Sallins

The New York Liberty are on the brink of history as they are one win away from their first ever WNBA Championship thanks to their dynamic duo, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionsecu.

The WNBA Final Series shifted scenery from Brooklyn, New York to Minneapolis, Minnesota for Game 3. With the tied 1-1 Wednesday night's Game 3 is of most importance as 60% of Game 3 winners have gone on to the championship.

Minnesota Lynx jump on the Liberty early on and dominated the first half. The Lynx led by as much as 15 points in the late first quarter and had 13-point leads multiple time in the second quarter. However, the Liberty were able to the Lynx's down to eight at the halftime break.

Then it became the Stewie show.

Breanna Stewart scored 14 of her game-high 30 points in the third quarter. Stewart was the catalyst for the big comeback by the Liberty. But it was just on the offensive end where Stewart made her impact, it was non the defensive end as well with four blocks including one on Lynx's Napheesa Collier in the fourth quarter. Stewart finished the night with a double-double that included 11 rebounds to go with her 30-point performance.

Finally, Sabrina Ionsecu brought it for New York.

As the game was winding down and the Liberty came all the way back from down 15 to have a one-point lead under a minute of playing left, Ionsecu hit a three to put the Liberty up four. Minnesota would answer quickly with a Bridget Carleton layup and Collier hitting two free-throws to tie the game at 77. Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello put the ball in her point guard's hand with the game on the line. Ionsecu, guarded by Kayla McBride, gets free with 2.1 seconds left and drains a 28-foot three step back jumpshot with one second remaining.

New York Liberty 80-Minnesota Lynx 77 Final.

Sabrina Ionsecu's game-winning three gave the New York Liberty their first ever series lead in the WNBA Finals in six appearances and put to the Liberty one win away from capturing their first ever WNBA Championship. This clutch by Ionsecu will be remember forever if the Liberty are able to close the deal as one the most clutch shots in the WNBA Finals history. It is the most important shot in Liberty franchise history.

The Liberty will have two opportunities to achieve history with the first one coming Friday night in Minnesota.