Ionescu’s Buzzer-Beater Joins the Ranks of Iconic WNBA Finals Moments

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- In a moment that will be etched into the annals of WNBA Finals lore, Sabrina Ionescu delivered a heart-stopping three-pointer for the New York Liberty with merely one second remaining in Game 3 on Wednesday night. This exhilarating play not only turned the tide for her team but also secured its place among the most memorable moments in the league's history.

Revisiting the past, Ionescu's shot resonates 25 years after Teresa Weatherspoon's legendary halfcourt heave, which famously leveled the Liberty’s playoff series against Houston. The Minnesota Lynx, too, have a rich narrative surrounding buzzer-beaters, having tasted both triumph and defeat in these nail-biting finales.

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and examine five of the most iconic WNBA Finals shots:

1. 1999: Teresa Weatherspoon vs. Houston – With 2.4 seconds on the clock and the Liberty down 67-65, Weatherspoon received the inbounds pass, dribbled to halfcourt, and launched a remarkable bank shot that found its mark at the buzzer. That shot tied the best-of-three series with Houston, although New York fell to the Comets less than a day later.
2. 2017: Maya Moore's Buzzer-Beater – After a lengthy drought without hitting a game-winner since her youth basketball days, Lynx’s Maya Moore stepped up with the game tied at 77. With just 1.7 seconds left, she executed a deft fake, took a dribble to her right, and sank the decisive three-pointer, propelling Minnesota to a 2-1 series lead that ultimately culminated in a championship.
3. 2016: Alana Beard's Last-Second Jumper – A name that may surprise fans, defensive whiz Alana Beard clinched a pivotal first win for the Sparks by draining a jumper as time expired to break a 76-all deadlock, marking the inaugural year of the league's revamped playoff format, which featured the top eight teams.
4. 2016: Nneka Ogwumike's Game 5 Winner – The Sparks and Lynx engaged in a thrilling back-and-forth contest filled with 11 ties and 23 lead changes. With only 3.1 seconds remaining, Ogwumike salvaged an offensive rebound after a blocked shot and delivered a clutch fadeaway jumper, sealing a 77-76 victory for Los Angeles.
5. 2023: Sabrina Ionescu's Iconic Moment – Facing a daunting 15-point deficit, the Liberty saw the score draw even at 77 when Ionescu, positioned near halfcourt, strategically dribbled down the clock. With a mere second left on the game clock, she unleashed a stunning 28-foot shot directly in front of the logo, leaving Minnesota scrambling for a last-second attempt that never materialized. This clutch play sent New York to a crucial 2-1 lead in the series.

In the saga of thrilling WNBA Finals moments, Ionescu's shot will surely be remembered alongside these legends, adding another thrilling chapter to the sport’s history.