Liberty on the Brink of WNBA Championship After Dramatic Game 3 Comeback

The New York Liberty are one win away from their first WNBA title, defeating the Minnesota Lynx in a thrilling Game 3. Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart led the charge with clutch performances in the final seconds.

Liberty’s Homecourt Edge and Finals Strategy

The Liberty fought hard during the regular season to secure the No. 1 overall seed, and their dominance paid off. By clinching homecourt advantage, they set themselves up for success in the WNBA Finals, where three of the possible five games could be played at Barclays Center. The Liberty thrive in front of their electric Brooklyn crowd, with a combined 20-4 record in both the regular season and playoffs. The Lynx, if they hope to pull off an upset, will need to win on the road — a daunting task given the Liberty's home performance.

MINNEAPOLIS — The New York Liberty are just one win away from securing their first-ever WNBA championship, thanks to a thrilling 80-77 victory over the Minnesota Lynx in Game 3. After trailing by as many as 15 points, the Liberty staged a fierce second-half comeback. Breanna Stewart dominated the second half, scoring 22 of her 30 points, while Sabrina Ionescu’s heroics sealed the game with two clutch 3-pointers in the final minute.

The game was tied 77-77 with just 16 seconds remaining after a layup by Bridget Carleton and free throws by Napheesa Collier. With 10.9 seconds on the clock, Ionescu took control, sinking a deep 3-pointer from 30 feet to give the Liberty the lead. Minnesota's last-second attempt was unsuccessful, securing the Liberty's dramatic win.

Stewart was a force throughout the game, finishing with 30 points and 11 rebounds, while Ionescu came up huge in the final minute with two momentum-shifting 3s. Jonquel Jones also contributed with key baskets in the final minutes. For the Lynx, Napheesa Collier led with 22 points but struggled with efficiency, needing 22 shots to reach her total. Kayla McBride added 19 points in a valiant effort.

With a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series, the Liberty now have the chance to clinch the championship in Game 4. If Minnesota can force a Game 5, the series will return to New York, where the Liberty will enjoy their homecourt advantage once again.