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That's more like it.
A couple days after a shocking loss to the Sun, the New York Liberty got back on track on Sunday, thanks to superstar Sabrina Ionescu.
Ionescu's stat line was brilliant:
- 36 points
- 11 rebounds
- 4 assists
- 14-22 FG (1-3 3FG)
- 7-7 FT
It's the first 35-point, 10-rebound game by a guard in Liberty history, per StatMuse.
Ionescu needed to play this well, given the continued absence of Breanna Stewart.
MORE: Cameron Brink ranks 2nd in key stat since injury return
It's really not surprising, either.
Ionescu was a triple-double threat every time she took the floor at Oregon. She may not be the first player that comes to mind as a rebounder, but she has the basketball sense and athleticism to get to where the ball is going.
It's a cheat code, too, because any rebounds grabbed by Ionescu can turn into immediate fast breaks.
Liberty fans have to be encouraged by the performance. Stewie's injury has thrown off the good vibes that New York had going for most of the season.
But if Ionescu can put up games like this while Stewart is out, it's a huge development.
She won't always score 35 or grab all the rebounds, but she doesn't have to. Jonquel Jones can shine. Emma Meesseman just made her debut for the Liberty on Sunday, too.
This is still a good team that will be a great team when Stewart comes back.
Thankfully for the Liberty, they still have Ionescu. And on days like these, she's good enough to get the job done by herself.
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