On Thursday afternoon, New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner, and the USA women’s national basketball defeated Belgium 87-74 in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Team USA is now 2-0 in Olympic play.
Ionescu and Griner both played well off the bench for the USA. Ionescu tallied six points on 2-of-5 shooting, five assists, and three rebounds. Griner added seven points and three rebounds of her own.
With four seconds left in the game and the win already secured for Team USA, Ionescu took a deep three-point shot and drilled it, extending the USA lead to 13.
After making the three, Ionescu turned around, looked at the crowd, and gave them the shush hand gesture.
United States center Brittney Griner (15) celebrates with guard Jewell Loyd (4) and guard Sabrina Ionescu (6) after defeating Belgium in a women’s group stage game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
With their country neighboring France, the crowd was mostly full of Belgium fans, who were loud in support of their team. Ionescu silenced them after her final play.
When Ionescu went to the bench, Griner and Diana Taurasi were all smiles and reacted with the same hand gesture.
WNBA fans loved this moment for Ionescu and Griner and took to social media to leave their thoughts.
“As you should Ionescu!!! Sabrina quieting the crowd!”
As you should Ionescu!!! Sabrina quieting the crowd! pic.twitter.com/oP13d4npiN
— IG: teamchocolate_ (@JezebelsForHire) August 1, 2024
“Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner were so happy after Sabrina Ionescu shushed the crowd”
Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner were so happy after Sabrina Ionescu shushed the crowd 😂
SABRINA SAID 🤫 pic.twitter.com/ilaoKlQZxG
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) August 1, 2024
