Sabrina Ionescu goes for 30 as Liberty earn third win over Sun

Field Level Media|published: Tue 16th July, 21:22 2024

Jul 13, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket against the Chicago Sky during the first half of a WNBA game at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Sabrina Ionescu scored 30 points to fuel the host New York Liberty to an 82-74 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday.

Ionescu made 7 of 14 shots from the floor -- including a season high-tying six from 3-point range -- and all 10 attempts from the free-throw line. Her point total fell one short of her season high, set in New York's 93-80 win over Los Angeles on June 20.

Courtney Vandersloot scored 10 points as the Liberty (21-4) overcame the absence of star Breanna Stewart (hamstring) and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (knee surgery) to record their fourth straight victory.

Kennedy Burke had nine points and four steals and Leonie Fiebich added nine points and five rebounds to help New York improve to 12-1 at home this season. The Liberty have won all three meetings thus far against the Sun and hold a 2 1/2-game lead over Connecticut (18-6) for the best record in the WNBA.

New York held a decisive advantage from 3-point range. The Liberty made 11 of 27 shots from beyond the arc, while the Sun sank just 2 of 18 attempts.

Connecticut's Brionna Jones scored 17 points and Alyssa Thomas collected 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists before sitting out much of the second half for an undisclosed reason. DiJonai Carrington scored 13 points for the Sun and Tyasha Harris had 11.

Jones made a layup to forge a 63-63 tie entering the third-quarter intermission before Ionescu drained her sixth 3-pointer to regain the lead for New York. Kayla Thornton also connected from beyond the arc and Burke and Ivana Dojkic each had a layup as the Liberty extended their advantage to 73-65.

Connecticut scored four quick points to halve the deficit before Jonquel Jones responded with a three-point play and an 18-foot jumper. Thornton added a basket to provide insurance for the Liberty.

Ionescu bolted out of the blocks by draining a pair of 3-pointers to stake New York to a 16-6 lead. She converted a four-point play to push the Liberty's advantage to 28-19 before finishing with 12 points in the first quarter.

Connecticut trailed 42-32 before igniting a 10-3 run to end the second quarter.

--Field Level Media

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