Ionescu wasn’t alone in delighting the crowd at Barclays Center throughout New York’s 87-77 victory. In addition to Ionescu’s 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting, two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart finished with a team-high 34 points, five rebounds and four assists. Stewart’s frontcourt partner Jonquel Jones added 13 points and 12 boards.

NEW YORK (AP) — Sabrina Ionescu’s relationship with Spike Lee goes back to when she was drafted by the New York Liberty. The basketball super fan was one of the first people to welcome her to New York when the Liberty took her No. 1 in 2020.

The newfound versatility of Sabrina Ionescu will be crucial to the early semifinal meeting with the Aces starting on Sunday in the best-of-five series.