Sabrina Ionescu Creates WNBA History With Stephen Curry-Like Feat Firing Up Liberty Fans After First Playoffs Home Win in 9 Years

In a tense Playoffs showdown, the No. 2 seeded New York Liberty faced off against the No. 7 Washington Mystics, a team plagued by injuries throughout the regular season. The Mystics tested the Liberty’s resilience, but it was Sabrina Ionescu who ignited the crowd at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, propelling New York to a 90-75 victory. This win marked the Liberty’s first home Playoffs victory in six years.

However, the defining moment arrived in the closing stages of the game. Fueled by frustration over a non-called shooting foul, Ionescu showcased her clutch gene by sinking consecutive transition threes. This surge quashed the Mystics’ hopes and reignited the crowd’s enthusiasm.

Another record-breaking night for Sabrina Ionescu

Fans witnessed Ionescu’s determination in the fourth when she responded to a 7-0 Mystics run with back-to-back transition threes. These shots not only silenced the Mystics fans but also catapulted the Liberty’s lead back to 12 points. As the game entered its final moments with the Liberty holding a 12-point advantage, Ionescu delivered the decisive blow.

The Liberty executed their offense to drain precious seconds off the clock. When the opportunity presented itself, Ionescu received the ball on the perimeter from Stewart and unleashed a remarkable 33-footer, securing the 90-75 victory.

After the triumphant victory, Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty’s star guard, appeared for a broadcast interview to fire up the fans. With unmatched passion, she declared, “I live for this opportunity and pressure. We’ve got to protect our home court. Last time, they [the Washington Mystics] took it away from us, and now we must show them what that feels like.” Her words reverberated through the arena, rallying the fans to cheer even louder.

While the Liberty struggled to find rhythm in the first half of the game, Ionescu stepped up when it mattered most. As the Liberty saw their spacing, Ionescu assumed control of the court. In a historic feat, she set a franchise record for the most three-pointers in a single game, sinking her sixth three-pointer late in the fourth quarter. Overall, she went 7/13 from beyond the arc and 10/18 from the field, accumulating a game-high 29 points, with 20 of those coming in the second half.

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Her performance ranks as the third-highest point total in Liberty Playoffs history as the crowd erupted in exhilaration, sensing a momentum shift for the Liberty. Ionescu proved why she is called the Stephen Curry of the WNBA, and she has been doing it over and over again.

A reflection of Stephen Curry’s legacy

The Barclays Center crowd reacted well to Sabrina Ionescu’s record-breaking performance. Stephen Curry, who is recognized as one of the NBA’s best three-point shooters, has given fans a plethora of unforgettable deep, long-range shots. Curry’s historic performance of 13 three-pointers in one game against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 7, 2016, stands out among his many spectacular moments.

Curry, like Ionescu’s 1st-half performance, has faced his share of difficulties, though. The Warrior’s guard went 0/10 from outside the arc in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers before his historic performance against the Pelicans. His NBA-record run of 157 straight games with a made three-pointer came to an end against the Lakers.

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Similar to Curry and other players, Ionescu experienced bad nights during the regular season, most recently when she faced the Mystics. The Liberty’s Playoffs opener demonstrated their tenacity and resolve to be a formidable force in the postseason despite those setbacks.

Considering the in-form Sabrina Ionescu, how far can the Liberty go in the Playoffs? Let us know in the comments below!