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    Sabrina Ionescu. - Source: Imagn
    Sabrina Ionescu. - Source: Imagn
    Sabrina Ionescu. - Source: Imagn
    Sabrina Ionescu. - Source: Imagn

    “Only Shows Up When It Matters”: Fans in Awe As Sabrina Ionescu Goes Off Against A’ja Wilson-Less Aces

    New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu is not having a great season relative to her usual standards. To start the 2026 WNBA season, Ionescu has been dealing with lingering ankle and foot injuries. As a result, the veteran has been averaging a career-low 9.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. That said, her recent play is proving that she is coming back to full health.

    On Tuesday, June 30, Ionescu and coach Chris DeMarco’s Liberty team faced coach Becky Hammon’s Las Vegas Aces in this year’s WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship game. There, Ionescu made a statement as she finished with a team-high 26 points, including five three-pointers, five rebounds, and five assists in 31 minutes of playing time. The Aces did also play without reigning regular season MVP A’ja Wilson due to a leg injury.

    Women’s basketball fans and spectators brought up Ionescu’s recent subpar performances, and applauded her for coming back to form.

    “Only shows up when it matters, I respect it,” one fan claimed.

     “She finally did something in a game that matter must be nice,” another user said.

    “Turns out Sabs was indeed still in there,” a user shared.

    Other users all over X/Twitter were in awe of Ionescu’s performance against the Aces.

    “WHERES ALL THEM SAB HATERS AT 😂😂😂??,” one fan exclaimed.

    “KEEP THAT SAME ENERGY WE GOOD OVER HERE!!!! 🐐,” another fan asserted.

    “Sabrina is BACK!!!,” another user wrote.

    Ionescu’s outing paved the way for the New York franchise to defeat the Aces by eight points, 93-85, and bring home the 2026 Commissioner’s Cup trophy. This is the Liberty’s second-ever Commissioner’s Cup title, as they first won it three years ago against the Aces as well. They are the first team to win the WNBA in-season tournament twice since its inception in 2021.

    Sabrina Ionescu affirmed that the 2026 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup win is a turning point for the season

    During her post-game interview, Sabrina Ionescu was asked if the 2026 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup victory could be a turning point for her in the season. Ionescu said that the win is not just a turning point for herself, but also for her team overall.

     

    “ Yeah, I mean, absolutely. We have a group that hasn’t, you know, even played in the Commissioner’s Cup together, a lot of new players, and so it’s really important for us to be able to do this at home. Our first time hosting here in Barclays Center with this crowd, and we just got to continue to build off of this,” Ionescu said. (0:36)

    Read More:

    “I’m Giving Myself Some Grace”: Sabrina Ionescu Reflects on Slow Return From Injury Before Commissioner’s Cup Clash

    “Washed at 28”: Sabrina Ionescu Faces Massive Fan Scrutiny After Glaring Dip in Form Becomes Evident in Loss to Mystics

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