By: Nina Samone
In a close 88-86 defeat against the Chicago Sky, New York Liberty WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu had a stat-stuffing game and becomes the fourth WNBA player to record multiple triple-doubles and the 1st player to post a triple-double in just three quarters of play.
On June 12th, 2022, Ionescu recorded 27 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in an attempt to continue the Liberty’s win streak.
Ionescu was one of the most hyped rookies of her time, she joined the WNBA as the No. 1 pick in 2020 from Oregon – she had recorded an NCAA record 26 triple-doubles in her college career.
Her 1st WNBA career triple-double came in May 2021, but an ankle injury limited the rookie at the time to only three games.
“I don’t care about a triple-double; we didn’t win,” Ionescu said after the contest on Sunday. “I’m just trying to do my part, continuing to get better every single day, continuing to learn from my teammates, from this coaching staff.”
After the Liberty’s poor start to the season, Ionescu’s continued development could really help them for the remainder of the season.
Ionescu has been a dynamic and essential part of New York’s 4-2 run, averaging 24 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists in those six games. She joins Candace Parker as the only other WNBA player to post multiple triple-doubles in regular-season games this season.
The New York Liberty will be back in action on Thursday, June 16th where they will take on the Washington Mystics.
Sources:
Voepel, Mechelle. June 2022. ESPN. “Sabrina Ionescu becomes youngest player in WNBA history to have multiple triple-doubles.” <https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/34081568/sabrina-ionescu-becomes-youngest-player-wnba-history-multiple-triple-doubles>
Zucker, Joseph. June 12th, 2022. Bleacher Report. “Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu 1st WNBA Player Ever to Record Triple-Double in 3 Quarters.” <https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10038499-libertys-sabrina-ionescu-1st-wnba-player-ever-to-record-triple-double-in-3-quarters>
