Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty had ground to make up after a surprising loss in Indiana over the weekend. The defeat, their first of the 2025 season, meant they needed a bounce back win over the Atlanta Dream.
On Tuesday night, the Liberty responded with urgency. Down by 17 points in the third quarter, Ionescu led a relentless comeback, pouring in clutch buckets and rallying her teammates to an 86–81 victory. Her performance was the spark New York needed in a must-win moment.
Sabrina Ionescu Couldn’t Be More Proud
Ionescu took over the game with a season-high 34 points, leading the Liberty to a double-digit comeback win just days after their first loss since the WNBA Finals. It also marked the first time in her career that she posted back-to-back 30-point performances.
“We’re really proud of the way that we fought,” Ionescu said after the game. “And, obviously, that game could have easily gone the other direction and us just kind of giving up and being frustrated, and I think you were able to see a team that stayed together, dug really deep and then kind of just figured it out on the fly.”
“You were able to see a team that stayed together, dug really deep and then kind of just figured it out on the fly.”
Sabrina Ionescu talks about the Liberty’s resilience in their comeback win over the Dream: pic.twitter.com/b12KA9Fo9X
– New York Liberty Videos (@SNYLiberty) June 18, 2025
“I’m really impressed with our ability to do that because we haven’t been put in that situation this year,” she added. “To go down that big and have to try and dig our way out of a hole, and I think all these experiences are just going to help us as we continue to play in games and the season goes on.”
Sabrina Ionescu has long been known for her deep 3-point range, but it is her aggressive drives to the basket that have truly elevated her game. Whether finishing in the paint or kicking out to open shooters in the corner, her downhill attacks often spark the Liberty’s offense.
She finished with a game-high 34 points on an efficient 60.0% from the field, 50.0% percent from three, and 75.0% percent from the line. This showcased her ability to score from all levels.
Defensively, Ionescu has also made noticeable strides. Early in her career, opponents often targeted her as a defensive liability. Now, she has become a more dependable on-ball defender, using her active hands and improved positioning to make an impact on both ends of the floor.
Of course, this comeback was never about just one player. It was a collective surge, sparked by grit and timely execution from every corner of the roster.
Nyara Sabally’s steal and transition layup turned heads, Natasha Cloud’s clutch three tied the game with under four minutes left, and Breanna Stewart’s go-ahead bucket in the final stretch sealed it. On a night when they could have folded, the Liberty dug deep and delivered a win that reminded everyone why they remain title contenders.
