Sabrina Ionescu praises Liberty’s ‘greatest strength’ after beating Sparks

After what felt like an endless slump, it looks like Sabrina Ionescu has finally regained her rhythm. She led the New York Liberty past the Los Angeles Sparks, 113-109, at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, notching their third straight win.

Ionescu scored a game-high 27 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-9 from the three-point line. She added seven rebounds and six assists.

The 28-year-old guard is averaging 25.6 points on 53.6% shooting amid their winning streak.

But while she could have flexed her strong showing, quite deservingly, against the Sparks, Ionescu praised their second unit for stepping up.

“It’s our greatest strength, knowing that we have players who come on from the bench and can impact a game and win us a game. We’ve relied on them all year, and we will continue to rely on them. They put in a lot of work. They’re here in the gym every single day working on their game, knowing when their number’s called, they’re going to be ready,” said Ionescu, as quoted by Liberty reporter Myles Ehrlich.

“I was just really proud of everyone who came in and gave us huge minutes. Bek Gardner, huge. Han (Xu) and Marine (Fouthaux). Bek Gardner came in and really changed the momentum for us.”

Gardner had 15 points and four assists, Han added 13 points, three rebounds, and two blocks, while Fouthaux contributed 13 points and three rebounds. They shot a combined 14-of-22, including 8-of-13 from beyond the arc.

The Liberty, who improved to 16-12, dominated the Sparks in bench points, 41-19.

New York played without the best player of the second unit, as Satou Sabally is still under concussion protocol and did not make the trip to Los Angeles. She has only played 13 games in his first season with the Liberty.

They will face the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday.