LIBERTY STAY ROLLING! NY Outlasts Atlanta Behind Ionescu's Historic Night

Liberty Edge Dream in Thriller as Ionescu Drops Another 30-Piece

By NWO SPARROW

NEW YORK — The New York Liberty survived a late scare from the Atlanta Dream, escaping with an 86-81 victory at Barclays Center on Tuesday night to improve to a league-best 10-1. Sabrina Ionescu, fresh off a 34-point explosion in her last outing, did it again—dropping 34 more in a historic performance that cemented her as the WNBA’s most lethal scorer right now.

The game was a back-and-forth battle, with Atlanta (8-4) leading by as many as eight in the third quarter before New York’s defense locked in late. Ionescu’s 12-of-20 shooting night included clutch buckets down the stretch, while Jonquel Jones (10 points, 10 rebounds) notched her 28th double-double as a Liberty player—and the team remains a perfect 28-0 when she hits that mark. Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard dished nine assists, but the Dream’s offense stalled in the fourth, scoring just 13 points as New York’s championship poise took over.

Historic Night for Ionescu, Liberty

Ionescu made WNBA history, becoming just the fourth player ever to score 34+ points in consecutive games, joining Diana Taurasi, Liz Cambage, and Kahleah Copper. She also tied Breanna Stewart for the Liberty’s franchise record for back-to-back 30-point games. Meanwhile, New York’s three-point barrage continued—their 117 threes through 11 games are the most in the league this season and second-most in WNBA history at this stage.

The Liberty also boast the WNBA’s best offensive (110.8) and defensive (92.3) ratings, with a staggering +18.5 net rating—the third-best mark ever through 11 games. Their 89.8 points per game lead the league, proving they’re not just winning, but dominating.

Sabrina Ionescu is authoring one of the most dominant scoring stretches in WNBA history, becoming just the fourth player ever to record back-to-back 34-point games. The Liberty superstar joined elite company alongside Diana Taurasi (2006), Liz Cambage (2018) and Kahleah Copper (2024) with her latest offensive explosion against Atlanta. Ionescu's scoring clinic was a masterclass in efficiency - she shot 12-of-20 from the field while adding 5 assists, marking the eighth time in her career she's posted a 30/5/5 game. The performance was even more remarkable considering it came in a tight fourth-quarter battle where the Liberty needed every one of her clutch baskets to secure their league-best 10th win.

What makes Ionescu's scoring tear even more impressive is how she's rewriting the Liberty record books in the process. She tied Breanna Stewart's franchise mark for consecutive 30-point games, while her 117 three-pointers this season have fueled New York's record-breaking offensive attack. At just 27 years old, Ionescu is rapidly ascending the WNBA's all-time ranks, proving she belongs in the conversation with the game's all-time great scorers. With her unique combination of deep range, crafty finishing and cold-blooded clutch play, this may just be the beginning of Ionescu's assault on the record books.

Vocal Opinion: The Liberty’s Quiet Dominance is Their Superpower

What makes this Liberty team different isn’t just their talent—it’s their mindset. Fresh off a 2024 championship, they could easily bask in the spotlight, chasing individual accolades and viral moments. Instead, they play with a workmanlike focus, as if they’re still underdogs.

Ionescu, the league’s hottest scorer, didn’t celebrate her 34-point night like a superstar—she dove for loose balls and set up teammates. Jones, a former MVP, does the dirty work inside without fanfare. Even Breanna Stewart, one of the game’s biggest names, lets her game speak for itself. There’s no ego, just execution.

This humility is why they’re 10-1. Why they lead in every major statistical category. Why they don’t just win—they elevate the game. In an era of hype, the Liberty remind us: Greatness doesn’t need a microphone.

Next Up: The Liberty face the Connecticut Sun on Friday in a Finals rematch, while Atlanta looks to rebound against the Chicago Sky.

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