Sabrina Ionescu has done it again.
The New York Liberty star etched his name into the record books once again on Saturday, this time for a season-long hit.
In the first minute against the Phoenix Mercury, Ionescu found Crystal Dangerfield on the right wing for a 3-pointer that put the Liberty on the board. The assist was her 200th of the season, making Ionescu the first player to record more than 500 points, more than 200 rebounds and more than 200 assists in the 26-season history of the WNBA.
He reached the milestone with four games left in the regular season. At 24 years old, he promises to challenge and possibly surpass those numbers several times throughout his career.
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For Ionescu, the achievement is the latest in a young career that has seen the former Oregon standout so far live up to the expectations that came with being the No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft. Since the injury limited her to just three games as a rookie, she has become one of the most productive players in the game.
Sabrina Ionescu’s latest statistical milestone will surely not be her last (Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
On July 6, Ionescu had 31 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for the highest scoring triple-double in WNBA history. The triple-double was also the third of her career, tying Candace Parker for the most in league history.
Parker, a seven-time All-Star and two-time league MVP, got his third just weeks earlier to briefly hold the record on his own. It took her 15 seasons to reach the mark, and she is one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Ionescu reached third in only his second full season of play.
This is what Ionescu does. She broke the NCAA record for triple-doubles by men or women with her 13th career as a junior in 2018. By the end of her senior season at Oregon, she had doubled that number to 26. This season, the his first as an All-Star: Ionescu has averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game.
Unfortunately for the Liberty, Ionescu’s production hasn’t translated into success on the court. After a 12-20 campaign in 2021, New York is 13-19 in 2022. That includes a 76-62 loss to the Mercury on Saturday. Ionescu led the Liberty effort with 20 points along with five rebounds and five assists. None of his teammates scored more than seven points.
New York’s long-term priority is clear. Surround Ionescu with the right talent to elevate his unique skill set into championship contention.