Ionescu Dominates: Liberty Star Achieves First Double-Double of Season in Thrilling Aces Victory!

In a highly anticipated matchup between two recent WNBA champions, the New York Liberty secured an 87-76 victory over the host Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday. The win was notably powered by guard Sabrina Ionescu, who delivered her first double-double of the season. This intense rivalry is set to continue as the two powerhouse teams prepare to clash again in the Commissioner's Cup final on June 30, with the game scheduled to take place in New York.

The historical context of this rivalry is significant, with the Las Vegas Aces having claimed the WNBA title in 2022, 2023, and 2025, while the New York Liberty were the champions in 2024. In the WNBA's in-season tournament, the Commissioner's Cup, the Aces won the inaugural title in 2022, and the Liberty followed with a victory in 2023. Ionescu emphasized the caliber of the teams, stating, "Two of the best organizations in our league. [The Aces] have continued to pave the way in what they've done, contending every single year, winning multiple championships. [The matchup] is always a great basketball game being played ... some of the best players the game has ever seen on the court."

Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty's 2020 No. 1 draft pick, showcased a standout performance amidst a season where she has been managing foot and back issues. Tuesday's game, only her sixth of the season, marked her best outing yet, as she contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists in 30 minutes. Reflecting on her improvement, Ionescu shared, "I'm just better and better every day. My body's feeling better, getting back into the rhythm of playing competitive basketball."

Further contributions to the Liberty's victory included forward Breanna Stewart, who led New York in scoring with 20 points. For the Aces, guard Jackie Young topped her team with 19 points. Notably, center A'ja Wilson, who entered the game as the league's leading scorer averaging 25.7 points per game, was held to a season-low 16 points by the Liberty's defense.

Following this game, the Aces' record dropped to 12-5. The Liberty, now standing at 12-6, utilized this win as a crucial rebound after suffering two recent disappointing losses to lower-ranked teams: an 86-83 defeat to Washington last Friday, and a narrow 98-97 loss at Los Angeles on Sunday, where the Sparks' Nneka Ogwumike hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Ionescu acknowledged the team's resilience, stating, "Moments like that can either make you or break you. It's a long season, so for us it was just understanding we've got to come together, not let that happen again and continue to grow from it."