Add The New York Post on Google Less than two weeks after the Liberty got embarrassed at the hands of Natasha Cloud’s career performance, they got their revenge Saturday afternoon, beating the Chicago Sky 85-66.
That means the Liberty, for the most part, can head into the FIBA World Cup break with a feel-good feeling.
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Han Xu had a season-high 19 points off the bench. Four others finished in double-digit scoring, including Rebekah Gardner, who provided a jolt off the bench with 11 points and four rebounds at Barclays Center.
But Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu would probably like Saturday’s performance back.
The Liberty guard had an uncharacteristic showing, missing all 10 of her field-goal attempts, including seven inside the arc. Her two points came from the free-throw line.
Han Xu of the Liberty makes a shot against Azura Stevens of the Chicago Sky during a regular season matchup at Barclays Center on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Michelle Farsi for NY Post She also contributed five rebounds and four assists.
It’s the latest in what’s been a worrisome shooting stretch for Ionescu, who’s gone 8-for-53 from deep over the past eight games. Before the game, coach Chris DeMarco said his confidence in Ionescu remains high.
“There’s more to basketball than just scoring,” he said. “That’s why she’s been such a great player forever. It’s her ability to pass the ball, her ability to rebound. There’s more ways to impact the game. … The shot will come, no doubt about it. She’s a great shooter.”
But Ionescu hasn’t looked like herself all season, for that matter. She started the season with an injured left foot after she rolled her ankle in the team’s final preseason game.
Then she came back for a game before missing time with back soreness.
It took a few games for her to find her flow. She had a solid July and start to August, but has struggled as of late. It’s worth noting she missed the Liberty’s Aug. 15 game at Connecticut with a left foot injury.
Sabrina Ionescu of the Liberty handles the ball against Jacy Sheldon of the Chicago Sky at Barclays Center on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Michelle Farsi for NY Post Ionescu is averaging 15.6 points on 12.8 field goal attempts per game, her lowest marks since 2021. Her four rebounds per game are a career low.
Ionescu won’t be playing in the World Cup next month after she was left off the United States’ roster. She said she hopes to use this time to continue to get healthy and have fresh legs for the WNBA playoffs.
