Ionescu, Liberty look to return to Finals -- and more - ESPN

NEW YORK — Sabrina Ionescu received the ball on the left wing from teammate Breanna Stewart and hoisted up the shot. The 3-pointer swished in, putting the New York Liberty up 11 over the Las Vegas Aces early in the fourth quarter in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals. As Ionescu ran back on defense, she pointed to New York icon Spike Lee. Wearing a signed Ionescu jersey, Lee shot up from his courtside seat and pointed back in her direction.

Ionescu wasn't done.

Not even 90 seconds later, she received the ball from Leonie Fiebich well beyond the top of the arc and with three-time MVP A'ja Wilson closing out on her, she drained a 30-footer, sending the Barclays Center crowd of 14,000 into a tizzy and forcing a Las Vegas timeout.

Moments after New York's 87-77 win on Sunday, where Ionescu scored 21 points and dished five assists, ESPN's Holly Rowe interviewed Ionescu and Stewart at half court, asking Ionescu what it feels like when she gets hot and turns into the «orchestra leader» of the Barclays faithful. The crowd roared before Rowe could even finish the question, while Stewart mimicked the movements of a conductor.

«This is what it sounds like,» Ionescu said, holding her hands in the air before applauding the fans.

The Liberty are now two wins away from avenging last year's WNBA Finals loss to the Aces and returning to the championship series. From a chance to break the franchise's postseason curse and win its first title. From Ionescu having a shot at securing the one thing that has eluded her in a storied young career.

Ionescu, the team's longest-tenured player, is living up to the potential New York saw when it drafted her No. 1 four years ago. She's the pulse of the Liberty, their offensive engine, «really kind of a