Sabrina Ionescu delivered a thrilling moment for New York Liberty fans at Barclays Center on Tuesday, sinking a crucial three-pointer in the final seconds to secure a win over the Minnesota Lynx. With only 33 seconds remaining and New York holding a slim lead, Ionescu’s clutch performance highlighted why she channels Stephen Curry in high-pressure situations.
The New York Liberty faced a challenging season matchup, having struggled against the Lynx previously. As the shot clock wound down, Ionescu maneuvered skillfully around midcourt, signaling a screen from Kennedy Burke before launching a flawless rainbow shot from beyond the arc. Despite crashing into Maria Kliundikova and falling to the floor, the ball sailed through the net, igniting a deafening roar from the crowd and sealing a four-point play that ensured an 85-75 victory.
The Significance of the ‘Night Night’ Celebration After the Win
Following the game-winning shot, Ionescu embraced a celebration made famous by Stephen Curry, known as the ‘Night Night’ gesture. She performed this iconic pose as she exited to join her teammates, signaling her rising status as a clutch performer in the league.
Though her shooting accuracy for the night was modest, with 17 points on 5-of-18 shooting, Ionescu’s influence extended beyond scoring. She orchestrated the Liberty’s offense by providing 11 assists and collecting four rebounds, demonstrating her all-around contributions during the victory.
The Growing Connection Between Ionescu and Curry’s Signature Moves
This recent adoption of Curry’s ‘Night Night’ celebration reflects a pattern for Ionescu, who first showcased the move after winning the 2025 WNBA All-Star 3-point contest. Her connection to Curry deepened during the 2024 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA 3-point contest, where she competed against him and announced her arrival among basketball’s elite sharpshooters.
After her second 3-point contest championship at the All-Star weekend, Ionescu shared a photo holding the trophy while performing the same sleeping gesture popularized by Curry. Her dominance in the competition is evident, highlighted by a 30-point final round performance against reigning champion Allisha Gray, and holding the contest’s record with 37 points set in 2023.
Ionescu’s Character Shines Through in Charity Donations
Beyond her on-court achievements, Ionescu demonstrated generosity by allocating the $62,575 prize money from the contest entirely away from herself. Half of the winnings were given to Washington Mystics rookie Sonia Citron, who was eliminated early, and the other half was donated to the SI20 Charity Foundation. This decision reflects Ionescu’s broader commitment beyond personal gain, emphasizing her character and leadership within the sport.
Why Ionescu’s Clutch Moments and Celebrations Matter
Tuesday’s performance confirmed why Sabrina Ionescu has firmly earned the right to adopt Stephen Curry’s signature celebration—it symbolizes her clutch poise and rising prominence. As she continues to deliver in critical moments and balance performance with generosity, Ionescu represents a new generation of WNBA stars blending skill and character. Her ability to channel Curry’s spirit in key game situations likely signals more electrifying moments to come for New York Liberty fans and the league as a whole.