Sabrina Ionescu channels inner Kobe Bryant with iconic gesture after sealing Team USA’s Paris Olympics win over Belgium

WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu took inspiration from an NBA icon during Team USA’s latest Olympics win.

The USA’s 87-74 win against Belgium on Thursday marked their 57th consecutive win at the Olympics , stretching back to the 1992 games in Barcelona.

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Looking to take some time off the board as the buzzer neared, Ionescu made her way toward the free-throw line before circling back outside the three-point line.

Then with just four seconds left, she landed a three-pointer from some distance.

In a moment that has since gone viral, Ionescu channeled her inner Kobe Bryant as she raised her finger to her lips to silence the crowd.

As she made her way back to the bench, teammates Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi were both spotted excitedly copying Ionescu’s celebration.

Ionescu’s tribute drew huge praise from fans who took to X to share their thoughts.

“Love it!” one simply said.

“That mamba mentality!!!!!” commented a second, referring to the NBA icon and two-time Olympic gold medalist’s mantra.

“Lol that was cold-blooded,” added another.

As a fourth commented, “I hope everyone here knows how to swim so they don’t drown in their tears. Sheesh.”

While Ionescu’s viral photo may have grabbed the headlines, it was Breanna Stewart and Aja Wilson who were the stars of the show against Belgium.

Stewart led the game in scoring with 26 points, seven assists, and four rebounds.

As Wilson added on another 23 points, a game-high 13 rebounds, and two assists.

Coming off the bench, Ionescu racked up six points, three rebounds, and five assists.

Both the US and Germany remain undefeated in Group C, with Ionescu and Co. top of the table thanks to their +39 points differential.

How to watch the Olympics in the US

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While you may feel very far from the 2024 Paris Olympics , you can stay up-to-date with all of the action right from the comfort of your sofa.

You can watch on:

• Peacock
• Sling
• Hulu
• Fubo

Or if you’re not able to watch, you can follow along with The Sun’s live blog for the latest updates from France.

They will take on one another on Sunday in the final group game before the quarterfinals on August 7.

The US is going for its eighth consecutive women’s basketball gold medal.

As for WNBA All-Star Ionescu, who was drafted first overall by the New York Liberty in 2020, this is her first Olympics for Team USA.

However, she has previously won a gold medal at the 2022 FIBA World Championship.

Ionescu also represented the US at the 2019 Pan American Games on the women’s 3×3 team, winning gold.

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