Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu hits career milestone in New York’s gritty win over Atlanta

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NEW YORK – Sabrina Ionescu matched her season-high of 34 points to lead the New York Liberty to a double-digit comeback over the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night, rebounding from the team’s first loss of the season over the weekend. 

Despite Ionescu’s 20 first-half points, New York trailed by 17 points in the third quarter and were pacing to drop their second straight game after the Indiana Fever handed the reigning WNBA champions their first loss of the season on Saturday night. 

New York Liberty guard Marine Johannes (23) looks to drive past Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner (42) in the fourth quarter at Barclays Center on June 17, 2025. (Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)

But momentum quickly shifted hands midway through the quarter.

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"I think we didn't play well, we didn't have toughness, we didn't have urgency," Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said of the first half of the game. "I think we found our identity, we found some energy… We just need to play harder sometimes." 

New York had seven turnovers to Atlanta’s three in the first half, but that identity crisis quickly faded behind another 14 points from Ionescu and Breanna Stewart’s 11. New York picked up their 10th win of the season with an 86-81 victory. 

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) looks to drive past Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) in the third quarter at Barclays Center on June 17, 2025.  (Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)

"We're really proud of the way that we fought. And, obviously, that game could have easily gone the other direction and us just kind of giving up and being frustrated, and I think you were able