The first thing that comes to mind when hearing Sabrina Ionescu’s name is probably her prowess from three and her shooting contest with NBA legend Steph Curry. Ionescu is much more than just a threat from long range, though. She is also a prolific playmaker and one of the engines behind New York’s championship success. On top of that, Ionescu has come a long way as a defender.
Ionescu’s biggest impact will likely always be on the offensive end, but she has worked hard to improve defensively and survive being the “weak link” in the Liberty’s starting lineup. When healthy, the Liberty’s starting lineup features Ionescu, Natasha Cloud, Leonie Fiebich, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones. If opponents have to choose one player to pick on in that lineup, it will be Ionescu.
The 27-year-old can hold her own, though—something that was on full display when the Liberty finally beat the Minnesota Lynx for the first time this season. Ionescu mostly stood her ground against the Lynx’s guards and had a big defensive play against Bridget Carelton late in the fourth quarter.
Her defensive performance even elicited praise from Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello. “Sabrina is a great player. She’s going to go down as one of the greatest of all time. But, defensively, we’ve always challenged her, and she’s risen to the occasion,” Brondello said in the postgame press conference. “It’s been great to watch her development there…the pressure she has and the focus that she has on that side of the ball.”
Defense is a huge part of the Liberty’s identity
A big reason why the Liberty won the championship last season was their ability to excel on both ends of the court. They finished the regular season with the best offensive rating in the league and the third-best defensive rating. This season, they rank third in offensive rating and fifth in defensive rating, as injuries to several key players derailed their late July and early August.
Despite those struggles, New York is still one of the favorites to win the 2025 championship, especially once Breanna Stewart is back on the court. Defense will be a deciding factor in the playoffs. The Lynx and Dream—the two biggest challengers for the Liberty’s crown—are the top offenses in the league and feature MVP candidates in Napheesa Collier and Allisha Gray.
Three of the last six WNBA champions finished the regular season in the top three in defensive and offensive rating. None of the other three ranked worse than sixth in defensive rating. While star power and a smooth offensive game often lead to team success, defense is also necessary to win at the highest level. So, seeing one of their weaker defenders continue to improve on that end of the floor bodes well for the Liberty’s postseason success.