Ionescu 'built for' game-winning trey in WNBA Finals

By her own admission, Sabrina Ionescu hit the biggest shot of her career on Oct 16, and yet she had no recollection of how it happened.

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“I didn't even remember it. I had to go look at the video to see how far I was,” the guard said.

Ionescu sank a tiebreaking three-pointer with 2.4 seconds remaining, lifting the New York Liberty to an 80-77 win over the Minnesota Lynx in Game 3 of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Finals on Oct 16.

Her shot from 8.5 metres, a few steps in front of the Lynx logo at midcourt, gave New York a 2-1 edge in the best-of-five series. The Liberty will have a chance to clinch the first title in franchise history on Oct 18 in Game 4 at Minneapolis.

Breanna Stewart finished with 30 points and 11 rebounds for New York. Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Leonie Fiebich each added 13 points. The Liberty shot 45.9 per cent (28-for-61) from the field, 40 per cent (10-for-25) from three-point range and made all 14 of their free-throw attempts.

Napheesa Collier led Minnesota with 22 points, nine rebounds and five steals. Kayla McBride scored 19, Bridget Carleton contributed 14 and Courtney Williams contributed 12.

The Lynx shot 38.7 per cent (29-for-75) from the field, 42.9 per cent (9-for-21) from beyond the arc and 83.3 per cent (10-for-12) at the free-throw line at Target Centre.