It’s been 25 years since the New York Liberty had a chance to win a WNBA championship. Just like in 1999, a last-second shot gave them the opportunity to compete for the title.
This time, the Liberty are hoping for a better result.
Twenty-five years after Teresa Weatherspoon made “The Shot” to tie the Finals series against Houston, Sabrina Ionescu hit a 28-foot shot with one second left on Wednesday night. This gave New York a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five series against the Lynx. The Liberty will have their first chance to finish the series on Friday night in Game 4.
In 1999, the Comets and Liberty played the next day, and the Liberty lost that game for the championship.
“I haven’t thought about that, in the sense of they didn’t go out and achieve what it is that they wanted to do,” Ionescu said. “I think for us, it’s going to be changing that scripted narrative a little bit.”
Ionescu’s shot made history for New York, as it marked the first time the franchise has ever led a Finals series in its six championship appearances.
“It would mean everything. Stephen A. (Smith) was on today just talking (about) how it brings him chills to think about a championship in New York, and it’s just so many people who have New York running deep in their veins, wanting a championship,” Ionescu said.
“And knowing that we’re doing that to other people’s lives through the way we play and bring them happiness and joy, that’s what sport is about.”
The Lynx will try to force a Game 5 in New York on Sunday. Minnesota is aiming for its own history; winning two straight games would give them five championships, breaking a tie for the most in league history with Houston and Seattle.
Four teams have come back from 2-1 deficits to win a championship, the last being Minnesota in 2017. Assistant coach Rebekkah Brunson was part of that team and spoke to the players after their loss on Wednesday night.
“There’s a lot of experience that we try to impart on them,” Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said. “I did remind them how special they are and that we’ve answered every challenging situation whether it’s a run in the game or any part of the season. Friday isn’t going to be any different. We’re going to answer the call for sure.”
