Nailing a clutch, game-winning three is tough enough, let alone in back-to-back games. That became clear in this Finals series when Sabrina Ionescu couldn’t repeat the last game’s magic with New York Liberty falling to the Minnesota Lynx in Game 4. To make matters worse, it was Ionescu herself—last game’s hero—who committed the crucial foul with just two seconds left, leading to the game-winning free throws for the Lynx. Nevertheless, Ionescu didn’t seem to dwell on it, as she found some joy later when her opponent’s daughter lifted her spirits.

Just an hour after the game ended, Sabrina Ionescu had already changed and packed up, likely heading home with her husband after a tough night. But on their way out, the couple had an adorable encounter with Napheesa Collier’s daughter at the arena. The sweet interaction between Ionescu, her husband, and the little girl was captured on video and later posted on X, with the caption: “Sabrina Ionescu and her husband have a sweet moment with Napheesa Collier’s daughter after game 4. 🤗#WNBAFinals”

In the clip, Collier’s daughter, Mila, beams with joy as she runs up to Ionescu and wraps her arms around her for a hug, despite the height difference that left the little girl barely crossing Sab’s knees. Ionescu’s husband also joined in the fun, entertaining the little one as she playfully ran around, clearly enjoying the moment.

This certainly would have given Ionescu an escape from a dull performance that saw her scoring just 10 points, her lowest tally in the final series.

Moreover, the player with the most three-pointers in a single season record, couldn’t hit one basket from beyond the arc from five launched attempts. In a last-ditch effort to be the hero once more, she attempted a last-second three-pointer but missed by a significant margin. The good part is that she had six defensive rebounds and five assists, adding her contributions to defensive and playmaking end.

Well, that playful interaction with Collier’s daughter is sure to lighten the mood among the players, especially since Collier previously acknowledged the competitive tension by referring to the opponents as their “public enemy no one” during the intense Final.

Sabrina Ionescu and Mila’s adorable moment to change Collier’s mind?

Given the intense last-minute dramas, it’s understandable that players might feel frustrated, leading to their off-court friendships taking a back seat as they focus solely on outshining their opponents. Well, Collier had already highlighted this sentiment when asked about a specific incident involving Breanna Stewart during Game 2.

“I feel like we’re, you know, they (Liberty players) are Public Enemy Number One during the finals. I’m sure we’ll all laugh about it after, but I’m not really in the giggling mood you know in this series,” said Collier when she appeared on Run It Back on FanDuel TV before Game 4.

In an intriguing moment from Game 2, Stewie, the Lynx’s #24 and Collier’s off-court friend and Unrivaled partner, called for a technical foul against Collier after she threw the basketball following a failed attempt with the clock ticking down. Collier even took a playful jab at Ionescu while recounting the incident, remarking, “I know they’re all pointing. You can see Sabrina’s little finger in the background too.”

So love and adoration may continue off the court, but Collier is not letting her guard down as just one more game remains.