Reputed as WNBA?s Stephen Curry, Sabrina Ionescu Admits Pride in Warriors-Like Record Ahead of the Playoffs

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is renowned for his amazing three-point shooting skills. Talent like Curry’ comes very rarely. However, many see a glimpse of him in the WNBA’s own Sabrina Ionescu. Her outstanding shooting prowess and basketball IQ have contributed to Ionescu’s rise to the status of the WNBA’s ‘Stephen Curry’.

Similar to Curry, she has shown a fearless attitude to shooting from beyond the arc, often draining deep threes that defy conventional basketball norms. Sabrina Ionescu recently sat down for an interview ahead of the playoffs and admitted pride in her team’s Warriors-like record.

Sabrina Ionescu attends an interview ahead of the playoffs

One of the most anticipated WNBA events of the season, the WNBA playoffs kicked off this Wednesday. The No. 2 seed New York Liberty and the No. 7 seed Washington Mystics will square off in the WNBA playoffs in a much-anticipated matchup. Both teams won two games each, resulting in a tie in the regular season series between the two. This makes way for a thrilling and hotly contested playoff series.

With game 1 coming up on Friday, the Liberty’s star player, Sabrina Ionescu sat down for an interview ahead of the playoffs. She appeared on JJ Redick’s podcast where she talked about the upcoming playoffs.

When asked about their impressive fast-paced ball moves and how they have benefitted them, she replied, “Well adding Courtney Vandersloot really helps. She averages close to nine assists a game. And so, her being able to do that has helped me be able to play off ball as well.” She continued, “Having another pass first guard on the floor has helped us offensively in numerous ways.”

Ionescu spoke on the value of transition offense for the success of their team. She emphasized the need for rapid reads and reactions rather than set plays, emphasizing how their transition offense is their finest tool. Without the ball, this strategy enables smooth ball movement and deft positioning. She also acknowledged her teammates’ strong basketball IQ and game knowledge, which allowed them to garner a Warriors-like record.

She added, “It’s been really nice to do that surrounded by players that have such a high IQ and understanding of the game. And so, for me, it’s been great just being off ball. Obviously, I’m still a pass-first guard but being able to get my shot off a little bit more and running transition and (to) play more of a wing position than just a solid one.” [sic]

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Meanwhile, let’s take a look at both the teams slated to square off on Friday.

The New York Liberty vs. the Washington Mystics

This season, the New York Liberty underwent a stunning transition. Star players like Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot were added to the team’s roster, solidifying it. By defeating Las Vegas, they also won the Commissioner’s Cup championship, which gave them further momentum as they pursued their first-ever WNBA championship.

Breanna Stewart in particular has been a prolific scorer, placing second in the league and scoring more than 40 points in four games. The Washington Mystics, however, thrive at forcing turnovers with their aggressive defense. In order to thrive in the playoffs, the Liberty must address their turnover problems.

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The Washington Mystics, on the other hand, have struggled with injuries all season and their key forward, Shakira Austin, is still recovering from a hip ailment. In spite of this, the Mystics have a solid core of players, including Elena Delle Donne, Natasha Cloud and Ariel Atkins. These players were a part of the team that won the 2019 championship.

With Brittney Sykes’ defensive prowess added, the Mystics have a chance to sabotage New York’s strategy. The New York Liberty team may present difficulties for the Mystics in this area, making rebounding a crucial area of conflict in this series. All eyes will be on this interesting showdown as the postseason series progresses. Who are you rooting for? Let us know in the comments below!