Sabrina Ionescu struggled in Game 1 of the WNBA playoffs for the New York Liberty, scoring only 13 points on 14 shots while contributing six assists but no rebounds. Despite this, the team won by a margin of 16 points, thanks largely to Breanna Stewart’s performance. Coach Chris DeMarco remains confident, stating that “we go as Sab goes,” and emphasizes Ionescu’s importance despite her inconsistent play throughout the season due to injuries.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-02,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The New York Liberty secured a shocking 91-75 victory over the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in Game 1 of their best-of-three WNBA playoff series on Sunday, April 23, 2026. Despite finishing as the eighth seed with a record of 26-18, the Liberty's star player Breanna Stewart led the charge with an impressive performance of 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. The win puts the Liberty one game away from eliminating the previously undefeated Lynx, who must now win Game 2 to avoid being the first top-seeded team in history to fail to advance past the first round since a format change in 2022.
Stewart's clutch play was pivotal, as she scored crucial points and made key defensive plays against her former college teammate Napheesa Collier. The Liberty capitalized on multiple Lynx turnovers and foul trouble, with Collier and All-Star center Natasha Howard each fouling out of the game. Rookie Olivia Miles struggled in her first playoff appearance, scoring just 11 points.
With Game 2 scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, at home, the Liberty now hold a narrow advantage but remain wary of a potential Lynx comeback, as they narrowly escaped a similar situation last year against Phoenix. The Liberty’s defense was instrumental in limiting the Lynx's scoring opportunities and forcing turnovers that kept the game close until the final quarter when New York pulled away. Despite their historic lead, Stewart emphasized the need for continued focus to avoid being caught off guard by Minnesota's resilience.
Written for “Liberty-Lynx WNBA Playoff Matchup” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 13 other(s) covering the same event.
MINNEAPOLIS — Sabrina Ionescu splashed a 3 and then flashed a smile at the Target Center crowd late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win.
asserted
Ionescu → splash → win
The beauty in Ionescu’s game is her relentless belief that the next shot will go in, regardless of how the game went up to that point.
asserted
game → go → point
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asserted
you → get → things
NOWIonescu checked out of the game for the final time 20 seconds later, ensuring she exited on a high note after what had been an overall tough game amid a difficult season.
asserted
what → check → season
Ionescu finished with 13 points on 14 shots, zero rebounds and six assists.
asserted
Ionescu → finish → shots
The Liberty won by 16 anyway, piloted by Breanna Stewart’s historic performance.
asserted
Liberty → win → performance
But Stewart can’t always do it by herself.
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Stewart → do → herself
Leonie Fiebich hit some big shots and played a role in slowing Olivia Miles.
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Fiebich → hit → Miles
Jonquel Jones battled in the paint.
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Jones → battle → paint
Ionescu had her moments.
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Ionescu → have → moments
But the Liberty need Ionescu to be more efficient and consistent if they want to go as far as they hope to.
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they → need → ?
Coach Chris DeMarco said he isn’t worried about Ionescu.
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he → say → Ionescu
Before Game 1, he stressed the importance of Ionescu to the team’s overall success.
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he → stress → success
“We go as Sab goes,” DeMarco said.
asserted
DeMarco → go → ?
Ionescu spent much of the 2026 campaign trying to find consistency adapting to a new system and different role while working her way back from injuries.
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Ionescu → spend → injuries
She missed the beginning of the season with a foot injury, then dealt with a back issue that hampered her even after her return.
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that → miss → return
Outside of a strong July stretch, Ionescu hasn’t looked like herself.
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Ionescu → look → herself
This season, she averaged 14.6 points, her fewest since 2021.
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she → average → 2021
She converted only 29.5 percent of her 3-point attempts, a clip well below her career average.
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She → convert → average
In the final four regular-season games, Ionescu shot 28.6 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from deep while averaging 11.3 points.
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Ionescu → shoot → points
DeMarco lauded Ionescu for bringing “the right energy,” despite her struggles.
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DeMarco → laud → struggles
“I do think sometimes we all do it as coaches, media, players — somebody gets injured, and it’s hard to just pop right back in and start where you left off, it’s difficult,” DeMarco said.
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DeMarco → think → coaches
“We’re not in this position without her.
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We → ’re → her
She’s won us some massive games, some late-game comebacks, and as I said earlier, we’re gonna be as good as she is, and we know she’s up for the challenge.
asserted
she → win → challenge
This is what she does.
asserted
she → do → what
She’s a clutch player, and playoff time, this is where she goes.
asserted
she → ’ → ?
So I think with Sab especially, I’m not worried about her.
asserted
I → think → her
She knows what she needs to do.”
asserted
she → know → what
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