Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty are headed for an important offseason after coming off consecutive playoff appearances that led to their first playoff win since 2017 and hosting their first-ever postseason home game in Barclays Center.
Heading into this offseason, Ionescu said her goal is to become a better scorer off the bounce as she heads into an offseason full of optimism and new experiences. Ionescu also said she’s “super excited” to work out 5-on-5, and most importantly, “being healthy and having that mindset helps — I haven’t had that yet.”
“This season is just touching the surface of what we want,” Ionescu said. “We want to be a playoff team every year. Not as a seven or eight seed, but in conversation for a top seed, so it’s laying the foundation down.”
Sabrina Ionescu: "This season is just touching the surface of what we want. We want to be a playoff team every year. Not as a seven or eight seed, but in conversation for a top seed, so it's laying the foundation down." (Q: @ClassicJpow) #OwnTheCrown #WNBA
— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) August 25, 2022
After Game 3, Coach Sandy Brondello said that New York would be focusing on continuing to add the right players around their core and to keep building. She also said New York would have to become consistent on the defensive side of the ball. Brondello is a fan of New York’s small-ball lineup for its effectiveness and how well that group has utilized Laney’s scoring and playmaking versatility.
Ionescu said she had “no idea” how the Liberty would reach those goals since “that’s out of any of our control” as players.
“I have no idea. That’s out of any of our control,” Ionescu said. “It’s just what (GM) Jonathan (Kolb) and our coaches decide (what) we need. As long as we get a good teammate that’ll work hard and understand the culture of this team, that’s what’s most important.”
Sabrina Ionescu on offseason: "I have no idea. That's out of any of our control. It's just what Jonathan and our coaches decide we need. As long as we get a good teammate that'll work hard and understand the culture of this team, that's what's most important." (Q: @mercash22)
— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) August 25, 2022
Ionescu averaged 17.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game on 41.1 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. The former Oregon Duck’s first healthy season resulted in her first All-Star nod, becoming the first to post 500 points, 200 rebounds, and 100 assists in a single season.
The all-time triple-double leader in NCAA history also became the WNBA’s biggest triple-double threat after posting two triple-doubles this season, including a record-setting 30-point triple-double in July. The Oregon product is the youngest player in WNBA history to record multiple triple-doubles in their career.
