Sabrina Ionescu, Liberty subdue Sky again

Field Level Media|published: Sat 13th July, 15:37 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 had 28 points as the visiting New York Liberty defeated the Chicago Sky for the second time in three days with an 81-67 decision on Saturday.

The Liberty ended Angel Reese's WNBA-record, single-season double-double streak at 15 games. Reese finished with eight points and 16 rebounds.

With New York (20-4) minus star Breanna Stewart due to a sore hamstring, Ionescu shouldered the load as the visitors took control with a 14-0 run to close the first half.

The Sky (9-14) didn't fold, but Ionescu, who scored 21 in Thursday's 91-76 home over Chicago, hit four of the Liberty's 11 made 3-pointers and scored eight of her team's final 11 points.

Meanwhile, Reese made just 3-of-13 shots. She struggled with foul trouble in the second half and was even whistled for a technical after tossing the ball away from the officials.

Marina Mabrey had 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for Chicago, which fell to 4-8 at home.

New York trailed by seven after one quarter, and 34-29 with roughly five minutes to go in the first half. That's when the tide turned, and the Liberty took over by scoring the final 14 points of the second to take a nine-point lead at the break.

Ivana Dojkic (12 points) scored five consecutive points to begin that run. Leonie Fiebich (13 points) also posted five straight points later during the surge for the Liberty, who outscored the Sky 29-13 in the second quarter.

The Liberty scored nine of the first 15 points to open the third quarter, with Ionescu's bucket followed by her long 3 for a 52-40 advantage. Ionescu had seven points in the third, but after she made three straight free throws to give New York a 61-48 lead, Mabrey hit back-to-back 3s that made it a seven-point affair entering the fourth.

Mabrey scored 11 first-quarter points while going 4-of-7 from the field and hitting a pair of 3s as Chicago used a 9-2 close to lead 21-14 entering the second period.

Jonquel Jones added 14 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three blocks for New York.

--Field Level Media

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