NEW YORK — Sabrina Ionescu has already left her mark on this younger season, turning into the quickest participant in WNBA historical past to file a triple-double.
Ionescu had 26 factors, 12 assists and 10 rebounds to assist New York beat the Minnesota Lynx 86-75 on Tuesday evening, giving the Liberty their first 3-0 begin in 14 years. It was additionally their first triple-double in franchise historical past.
“Clearly getting a triple-double in a win is vital,” Ionescu stated. “Tremendous pleased with my teammates, my teaching workers for serving to me get that. … I’m tremendous grateful. It’s undoubtedly fairly cool [getting the first one in franchise history].”
At 23 years and 163 days, she is the youngest participant in WNBA historical past to perform the feat. The earlier youngest was Deanna Nolan (25 years, 269 days) on Could 21, 2005, in accordance with Elias Sports activities Bureau analysis.
Ionescu, the No. 1 decide within the 2023 WNBA draft, grew to become the ninth completely different participant in league historical past to have a triple-double and the primary since Chelsea Grey did so in 2019. The Liberty’s younger star did it in her second season and sixth WNBA sport — the earliest in a profession that it had ever been accomplished. Sheryl Swoopes, who had the league’s first triple-double and is the one participant with two in her profession, completed the feat in her 59th profession sport — the earlier quickest mark.
Ionescu, who had an NCAA file 26 triple-doubles in faculty at Oregon, additionally grew to become the second participant in WNBA historical past with a 20-point triple-double, becoming a member of Lisa Leslie, who did so on Sept. 9, 2004 (29 factors, 15 rebounds, 10 blocks).
Liberty coach Walt Hopkins wasn’t shocked by his younger star’s success.
“She places the work in for these moments. Does the work within the offseason, so she’s ready now. She’s acquired a particular mentality in her perception in herself, her teammates and her need to win,” Hopkins stated. “It’s matched by her teammates. We’re getting off to this sizzling begin as a result of all of them have that mindset of being hungry.”
Ionescu has now had a game-winning buzzer beater in her first residence sport Friday and a triple-double in her second sport at Barclays Middle to assist the Liberty to their finest begin since 2007, once they received their first 5 video games.
“The three-0 begin is an enormous deal for one, there have been some actually nice Liberty groups all through historical past,” Hopkins stated. “That’s fairly particular to get out to this. This staff attending to see what they’re able to early is an enormous deal for us.”
New York trailed 45-43 on the half earlier than outscoring Minnesota 19-10 within the third quarter to go up 62-55 heading to the ultimate interval.
The Liberty expanded on that lead, and Ionescu reached the triple-double, corralling her tenth rebound with 5:24 left within the fourth. She then nailed a 3-pointer on the different finish to increase the benefit to 75-65. Minnesota couldn’t get nearer the remainder of the best way.
ESPN Stats & Info and The Related Press contributed to this report.
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