Sabrina Ionescu responds to snub in best possible way after Caitlin Clark decision

After being overlooked for the All-WNBA First Team, New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu responded by hitting a 28-foot game-winning 3-point shot in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.

Ionescu’s clutch performance pushed the Liberty to a 2-1 lead over the Minnesota Lynx, as they now sit just one win away from capturing their first championship in franchise history.

Just two hours before tip-off, the WNBA announced its All-WNBA First and Second Team selections. The First Team included Napheesa Collier, A'ja Wilson , Breanna Stewart , Caitlin Clark , and Alyssa Thomas. The Second Team featured Ionescu, Kahleah Copper, Nneka Ogwumike, Arike Ogunbowale, and her Liberty teammate Jonquel Jones.

Many WNBA fans expressed surprise and disappointment over Ionescu not being named to the First Team, especially given her strong season and the Liberty's league-best 32-8 record. She received just 15 First Team votes, which led to her placement on the Second Team. Some fans felt Thomas, who secured 39 First Team votes. should not have been chosen over Ionescu. Clark earned 52 votes, which was just another record-breaking feat for her first year in the league .

• Angel Reese reaction says everything as Sabrina Ionescu magic puts Liberty on brink of first title
• Sabrina Ionescu's damning assessment of New York Liberty corrected for Minnesota Lynx win

Ionescu delivered a clutch performance in Game 3 after an iffy shooting night of 5 of 12 from the field, including 3 of 8 from beyond the arc. Despite not making a single three-pointer in the first half, Ionescu came alive when it mattered most, sinking two crucial threes in the game's final minute.

With just 55 seconds left, Ionescu gave New York the lead from the top of the key, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Moments later, she hit a step-back 28-foot three-pointer to break the tie, securing the Liberty’s victory. Ionescu finished the game with 13 points, six assists, and five rebounds. While speaking to the media, she addressed the shot, admitting that she wasn't even aware of how far behind the line she was standing before taking it.

"I didn’t really remember it. I had to look at the video real quickly and see how far I was," she admitted. "In the timeout [Head coach] Sandy [Brondello] was like, ‘You’re going to shoot the shot.’ I feel like I was able to get a little separation in range. Get a really good shot to go. I let the shot clock wind down and got the space."

The Liberty guard then sarcastically said: "That was just a great All-WNBA Second Team performance." The comment earned a laugh from the media members in the room.

Ionescu's 2024 season saw her finish ninth in the WNBA in scoring, averaging 18.2 points per game. The Liberty guard previously became the first player in WNBA history to record 500+ points, 200+ rebounds, and 200+ assists in a single season, highlighting her all-around impact on the court.

She also scored the league's first 30-point triple-double, which she achieved against the Las Vegas Aces in 2022. Should the Liberty win Game 4 on October 18, Ionescu will add WNBA champion to her long list of accolades.