Sabrina Ionescu’s ‘Phenomenal’ Return Gave the Liberty Exactly What They Needed for a Cup Berth

The New York Liberty have been on a tear, and Sunday’s 86-64 win over the Washington Mystics didn’t just extend their winning streak to seven games—it punched their ticket to the Commissioner’s Cup final. But what made the victory stand out wasn’t just the scoreline or the streak. It was the sight of Sabrina Ionescu back on the floor after a multi-week injury absence.

Ionescu didn’t stuff the stat sheet. She finished with five points, three rebounds, and three assists in 26 minutes, shooting 1-of-4 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line. But her presence, head coach Chris DeMarco said, was unmistakable.

“She was phenomenal,” DeMarco told The Athletic’s Annie Costabile after the game. “You could feel her presence out there. But it’s hard sometimes when you’re out for a while, you come back trying to find your game and I thought it was really good decision-making from her.”

DeMarco had confirmed before tipoff that Ionescu would be on a minutes restriction in her first game back in weeks. She played 26 minutes—a number that suggests the Liberty’s medical staff felt comfortable letting her stretch beyond a strict limit, though the team hasn’t confirmed any adjustments.

Depth Stepped Up in Ionescu’s Absence—and Alongside Her Return

While Ionescu eased back into rhythm, Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart carried the load. Jones dropped 20 points and grabbed four rebounds, while Stewart posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 boards. That kind of firepower has made the Liberty one of the WNBA’s most dangerous teams, even without their starting point guard at full throttle.

The Liberty went 5-0 in Commissioner’s Cup qualifying games, securing the Eastern Conference berth with Sunday’s win. They’ll face the winner of the Western Conference—either the defending champion Las Vegas Aces or the Minnesota Lynx—on June 30th.

What Ionescu’s Return Means Going Forward

Statistically, Ionescu’s line wasn’t flashy. But the Liberty’s offense hummed with her on the floor, and her decision-making—something DeMarco specifically praised—kept Washington’s defense off-balance. The 26 minutes also suggested the Liberty are comfortable ramping her up quickly, though no official plan has been announced.

Fans online noted how Ionescu looked more like herself as the game wore on, moving well and reading the floor with typical sharpness. The Liberty will need that version of her if they hope to lift the Commissioner’s Cup trophy later this month.

First, though, they have a date with the Chicago Sky on June 17th at 8 p.m. ET. The Liberty are chasing an eighth straight win, and with their star point guard back in the lineup, they look poised to keep rolling.