WNBA: Liberty’s Ionescu records first career triple-double to down Lynx
FILE — Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty reacts as she is introduced before the first half against the Indiana Fever at Barclays Center on May 14, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP
New York Liberty point guard Sabrina Ionescu tallied 26 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds to record her first career triple-double in Tuesday’s 86-75 win over the Minnesota Lynx in the Women’s National Basketball Association.
Ionescu, a one-time protege of the late Kobe Bryant and the number one pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft, completed the feat in just her sixth game after an ankle injury cut short her debut season.
The triple-double was the first by a Liberty player, and at 23-years-old Ionescu is the youngest player in league history to accomplish the feat.
☑ Youngest Triple-Double in #WNBA History
☑ First Career Triple-Double in the League
☑ First Triple-Double in @nyliberty History…In her 6th career game. @sabrina_i20 #CountIt pic.twitter.com/tLJHkpu1RM
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 19, 2021
“I’m excited but I think I’m even more excited that we got a win,” Ionescu said after the game, where the Liberty improved to 3-0 on the season after only winning two games last year.
“It really takes a whole team effort, it’s not just me. It’s everyone getting in position to score and rebound, so I’m just really proud of this team and how we fought tonight.”
Ionescu attended friend and mentor Bryant’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday. The Los Angeles Lakers great perished in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
“It was really special,” she said.
“I was happy to be there with everyone who was honoring everything that he stood for, and I’m hoping to bring that mentality out here every single time I play.”
