Sunday was a day to remember for New York Liberty star guard Sabrina Ionescu. For one, she finally won her first WNBA title when New York defeated the Minnesota Lynx at Barclays Center, 67-62. Then there was the hilarious but painful moment she found herself in while posing for photos with the WNBA Finals trophy.

While in the middle of a photoshoot, Ionescu suddenly experienced cramps in her left leg. She immediately grabbed her leg before laying on her back in pain.

Adding to the hilarity of the moment was Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello giving Ionescu some faux emergency CPR.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by WNBA (@wnba)

Ionescu and the Liberty surely can laugh it all off. If anything, her cramps only added another unforgettable bit to the whole championship experience.

Article Continues Below
More New York Liberty News
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) and New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud (9) and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) and New York Liberty center Nyara Sabally (8) look on against the Phoenix Mercury during the second half at Footprint Center.
Sandy Brondello lays into Liberty for lack of ‘effort’ in loss to MercuryRussell Steinberg ·
New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello looks on during the first half of the NBA game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center.
Sandy Brondello reveals key to Valkyries’ success after hard-fought victoryRussell Steinberg ·
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) during the first half against the Golden State Valkyries at Barclays Center.
Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu shares touching message after Bay Area returnMiguel La Torre ·
New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) and guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) celebrate in the first half against the LA Sparks Crypto.com Arena.
Breanna Stewart’s NSFW mic drop on Sabrina Ionescu’s clutch steal vs. ValkyriesRussell Steinberg ·
Natasha Cloud smiling with Zohran Mamdani (NYC's democrat mayoral primary winner) across from her with the New York City skyline in the background.
Exclusive: Liberty’s Natasha Cloud celebrates Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral primary winKenzo Fukuda ·
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) reacts during the second half against the Phoenix Mercury at Barclays Center.
Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu provides murky injury update after Valkyries winMiguel La Torre ·

Liberty won despite Sabrina Ionescu's cold shooting

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) celebrates her teams win after game three of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center.
© Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Ionescu's cramps can perhaps underscore how hard the Liberty worked for their victory. Although Ionescu had a completely cold night offensively, she still played 40 minutes of basketball and really tried to find her shot all game long. The former Oregon Ducks guard scored just five points in Game 5 while having an atrocious 1-for-19 shooting from the floor. Her only made basket from the field was a 3-pointer, and she missed all other nine of her attempts from behind the arc.

The Liberty can thank the likes of Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Nyara Sabally for keeping them afloat amid the cold spell that struck Ionescu. Stewart collected 13 points to go with 15 rebounds and also hit the crucial free-throws near the end of the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime, Jones had 17 points and six rebounds on her way to capturing WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player honors. Meanwhile, Sabally came off the bench and fired 13 points with seven rebounds, a steal, plus a block.

For what it's worth, the Lynx definitely did not go down without a fight. They were actually seconds away from notching the title but they just failed to finish the job in regulation. Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride led the Lynx with 22 and 21 points,r respectively.