Even after having one of the best seasons of her WNBA career, ranking 9th in points, 5th in assists, and 4th in three-pointers, Sabrina Ionescu didn’t make it to the All-WNBA First Team; missing out on the better bonus amount. Still, Sab secured her spot on the All-WNBA Second Team for the third year in a row. But her coach, Sandy Brondello, doesn’t seem very happy with it.

New York Liberty’s head coach wasn’t shy about sharing her thoughts. “She had a really good year…could’ve gone to that first [team],” Brondello remarked. She acknowledged how Sabrina’s performance in the first half of the season was stellar. 

But there was a slight dip when Sabrina missed some games, and getting back into rhythm might have affected her chances. “But, overall, she’s had a great year and is a young player that continues to keep getting better and better,” the HC added.

Along with the recognition, Sabrina will be missing out on the $10,300 bonus that the All-WNBA First Team players will pocket. Including Breanna Stewart. Jonquel Jones, however, joins the Second Team, receiving $5,150 in bonus, alongside Sab. “It’s great to see the three of them there,” Brondello expressed.

The announcement came just ahead of Game 3, and it was revealed that the three-time WNBA All-Star received 15 First-Team votes and 43 Second-Team votes. But it’s quite hard to digest. This season, Ionescu has raised her game, increasing her scoring from 18.2 points per game in the regular season to 19.8. Although her numbers dipped after a strong first half of the season, she bounced back in the postseason. 

She’s currently averaging 17 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals in the Finals. That’s how competitive the WNBA is today—too many stars and only five spots on the First Team. This year, they belong to Stewart, Napheesa Collier, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, and Alyssa Thomas. However, Sab is surprisingly chill. She didn’t let it ruffle her feathers.

‘Team win’ the sole aim for Sabrina Ionescu 

“I don’t, to be honest, really care about any of those types of awards. Just want to be the best I can and help my team win,” Ionescu stated making it to the Second-Team. And indeed, she let it be no bother as the Liberty took on Minnesota Lynx in their home turf. 

While she did struggle picking up the pace in the first two quarters, the Liberty #20 would seal the deal for her team. Having added just 10 points to the scoreboard throughout 4 quarters, remained active with 5 rebounds and 6 assists. But when the game tied 77-77, Sab came in with her signature.

2 seconds left, she hit a 28-foot three point step back jumpshot to help Liberty lead the series 2-1. In the process, she would surpass Crystal Robinson for most 3-pointers by a Liberty player in postseason – 63. So the team finally has its momentum, just as Jones hoped after 2019 Connecticut Sun vs Washington Mystics that robbed her of the title.

“Game 3 is super important… it’s going to be important to change the sway of everything right now in this game,” she had said and they have it.