Liberty Coach's Blunt Response to Sabrina Ionescu's Behavior During Blowout
Liberty Coach's Blunt Response to Sabrina Ionescu's Behavior During Blowout originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The New York Liberty are sending a message that they're perhaps primed to win their second straight WNBA championship this season.
Advertisement
On Sunday, they pulverized the Connecticut Sun by a final score of 100-52, and they equaled their league-record of 19 made 3-pointers in a game, and four of them came from Sabrina Ionescu, who scored a team-high 18 points on 6-of-9 overall shooting.
Even though the Liberty were flying high in the third quarter, they challenged a foul that was called on Ionescu when Marina Mabrey of the Sun attempted a 3-pointer. They won the challenge, and Ionescu reacted with an exuberant celebration.
She explained the challenge and her celebration, and head coach Sandy Brondello immediately had a response.
"I was just really in the moment, but I knew I didn't foul her," Ionescu said. "So very thankful for my coaches and entrusting me with the fact that I asked for a challenge because I know I didn't. My ponytail was sideways. She hit me. Obviously, we were up by a lot, so it was a great opportunity for us to challenge and make sure that I can continue to earn Sandy's trust to be able to continue to challenge."
Advertisement
"She has my trust," Brondello said.
New York jumped out to a 31-13 lead at the end of the first quarter, and it never looked back. It had an incredible 29 assists on 33 made field goals, and it held Connecticut to just 31.1% shooting while forcing 21 turnovers, which helped it score 29 fast-break points.
Along with the Minnesota Lynx, New York is the only remaining undefeated team in the WNBA.
Jun 1, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives past Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (31) during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
So far this season, Ionescu is averaging 17.8 points, 4.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds a game. The guard seems to be on her way to her fourth straight All-Star game selection and possibly her fourth All-WNBA nod.
Advertisement
Sunday's contest was the first Commissioner's Cup contest for the Liberty. They will visit the Washington Mystics on Thursday as the in-season tournament continues.
Related: Angel Reese Receives Punishment for Actions in Chicago Sky Game
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
37 minutes ago
- CNN
Patti LuPone's drama is dividing the Broadway community ahead of the Tony Awards
Patti LuPone may have apologized for some recent controversial remarks, but that doesn't mean the curtain has dropped on the drama. The actress sparked a major backlash after disparaging comments she made about fellow Broadway stars Kecia Lewis and Audra McDonald in a recent interview with the New Yorker. LuPone referred to Lewis as a 'b**ch' and said McDonald was 'not a friend.' Hundreds of performers from Broadway and other theater communities then wrote a letter in which they characterized LuPone's comments as 'degrading and misogynistic—it is a blatant act of racialized disrespect.' 'It constitutes bullying. It constitutes harassment,' they wrote. 'It is emblematic of the microaggressions and abuse that people in this industry have endured for far too long, too often without consequence.' The group called for LuPone to be disinvited from industry events, including Sunday's Tony Awards. LuPone apologized last weekend on social media, posting a statement in which she said she hoped to be able to speak with the pair to make 'sincere apologies.' 'I am deeply sorry for the words I used during The New Yorker interview, particularly about Kecia Lewis, which were demeaning and disrespectful,' Lupone wrote. 'I regret my flippant and emotional responses during this interview, which were inappropriate, and I am devastated that my behavior has offended others and has run counter to what we hold dear in this community.' The controversy ahead of the Tony Awards has raised interest in the event, sparking conversation about whether LuPone, who has long reigned as Broadway star, will make an appearance. But not everyone feels harshly towards her. Actress Mia Farrow has garned a Tony nomination for the Broadway play 'The Roommate' in which she costars with LuPone. In a recently published interview with Deadline, Farrow talked about her 30-year friendship with the woman she dubbed the 'goddess of Broadway.' 'We live near each other. Always have. Two of our kids were in the same class at school, at the same school, her son and my son, and I met her on New Year's Eve, actually,' Farrow told the publication. 'She and her husband gave a New Year's Eve party, and Steve Sondheim, who was one of my oldest friends, 50 years, he invited me to come to the party at Patti's 30 years ago, and that's how I met Patti.' Farrow, who mentioned the New Yorker interview in her conversation with Deadline without addressing the controversy, said working with her neighbor and friend was a positive experience. 'Patti and I never had a negative moment, by the way,' Farrow said. 'Working together didn't change our friendship. I think our friendship is deeper now.' 'Abbott Elementary' star Sheryl Lee Ralph, who is also a decorated Broadway performer, most notably playing the role of Deena Jones in the original 1981 production of 'Dreamgirls,' weighed in as well. 'Why not be nice?' Ralph said of LuPone. And while Ralph said she was 'not going to judge' LuPone, she did have some words of wisdom for the 'Evita' star. 'It was a moment where maybe you want to zip it,' she said. 'Inner thoughts don't always have to be outer thoughts, that might have been one of those moments.' British weekly conservative magazine writer Ella Whelan penned a piece with the headline, 'Patti LuPone is a diva – not a racist.' 'LuPone is notorious for putting the broad in Broadway – her loud mouth is infamous,' Whelan wrote, noting some of her other outspoken comments. 'Forget white privilege, this is diva privilege – when you're that good an entertainer, you can pretty much say what you want,' Whelan added. The 78th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by 'Wicked' film star and Tony, Grammy and Emmy award-winner Cynthia Erivo, will be broadcast live on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. ET on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+ in the US.
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Shaquille O'Neal Names Four Current Players Who Deserve To Make The Hall Of Fame, Two Superstars Snubbed
Shaquille O'Neal Names Four Current Players Who Deserve To Make The Hall Of Fame, Two Superstars Snubbed originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Shaquille O'Neal, a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee, shared a rather harsh criticism of players who were considered to be future Hall of Famers. With specific reference to Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, O'Neal had this to say on "The Big Podcast". Advertisement "You ever see that movie Ocean's Thirteen? I'm going to just break in and take all my s**t out. M**********r's just throwing anybody in there now." O'Neal continued by referencing NBA legend Isiah Thomas, who had split the Hall of Fame by classifying it into two distinct sections, "There's a bad m**********r Hall of Fame," said the big man. "And there's the basketball Hall of Fame." At this point, O'Neal questioned the legitimacy of Tatum's position as a future Hall of Famer. Although he boasts the necessary credentials, with multiple All-Star selections, All-NBA Team selections, as well as an NBA title, the former NBA player wasn't in agreement with this. In response to this, O'Neal was asked to curate his own Hall of Fame based on the current batch of players, excluding LeBron James. To this, he responded, "I would have to Curry... Got how many rings? 3? 4 rings?" Advertisement He continued by naming Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic. However, when asked whether Chris Paul deserved a place in his list, O'Neal responded by saying, "I'm not a guard. I'm going to let you answer that." Apart from James, who is a shoo-in as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, O'Neal named Warriors star Stephen Curry along with Antetokounmpo and Jokic. Each of the players named has a legitimate case for being inducted, with Curry and Antetokounmpo even being named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. However, apart from these players, O'Neal very evidently snubbed a couple of greats in the current era - Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard in particular. Advertisement While credentials can be ignored to some extent when defining the parameters of O'Neal's list, Durant and Leonard have presented a very strong case for being considered as Hall of Fame candidates. Durant has solidified his position as one of the greatest offensive players the game has ever seen. With four scoring titles and 15 All-Star appearances to go with his two NBA titles, the forward redefined offense by capturing the title of being unguardable. Meanwhile, Leonard has been one of the most lethal two-way players in recent history. His versatility on both ends of the floor, from scoring in clutch situations to defending out of position, makes him an incredibly rare breed of superstar. Although his injury-prone nature could see him snubbed to some extent, what he is capable of doing when he is on the floor is undeniable. And with two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, and seven All-Defensive Team selections, he is a certified first-ballot Hall of Famer. Advertisement Apart from these two superstars, O'Neal also missed several other players who would undoubtedly find their place in the Hall of Fame as first-ballot inductees. Chris Paul is certainly a name that has to be considered. Paul has been one of the premier point guards in the NBA for a large part of his career. His sheer longevity, paired with his productivity and success as a floor general, guarantees him a spot among the greats. Other noteworthy players include the likes of Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis. Westbrook was a force of nature during his time with the Thunder. Having averaged a triple-double for three consecutive seasons, Westbrook etched his name in the history books as one of the best to ever do it. Although Davis has been on the receiving end of much criticism in recent years, it is hard to overlook how dominant he was during his title charge with the Lakers. Looking like one of the best big men in the league coming out of college, Davis has been a truly special player. Advertisement Jayson Tatum's accomplishments don't necessarily pale in comparison. But at only 27 years old, they set a solid foundation for making a case in the future. In the process of recovering from his ACL injury, Tatum will have a long road to recovery. Whether this will see the Celtics star return to All-Star form will be a point of concern. However, should he manage to return to form, there is no room for doubting what he could be capable of accomplishing. Related: 25 Players Who Have A Chance To Make NBA 100th Anniversary Team: Luka Doncic Will Be A Legend, Klay Thompson Will Get Redemption This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox News
42 minutes ago
- Fox News
Handful of House Democrats join Republicans in sanctuary city crackdown
A pair of bills cracking down on sanctuary cities passed the House of Representatives this week — with the support of multiple Democrats. On Thursday, the House passed a bill to withdraw Small Business Administration (SBA) services from jurisdictions that shelter illegal immigrants. The legislation passed the House in a 211 to 199 vote, with five Democrats joining the GOP: Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Laura Gillen of New York, Don Davis of North Carolina, Jared Golden of Maine and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington. That's despite House Democratic leaders urging lawmakers to vote against the bill. SBA offices at the regional, district and local levels would be required to relocate if the administration publicly designated their locations as sanctuary jurisdictions. "House Republicans are holding these cities accountable for their refusal to follow immigration law and protect their citizens," House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the No. 3 House Republican, told Fox News Digital of the bill. "Under President Trump, lawlessness that endangers the American people and prioritizes illegal aliens will not be rewarded with federal dollars and resources." The second bill, which passed on Friday morning, would add explicit language banning people in the U.S. illegally from obtaining SBA loans. Eight Democrats voted for that legislation — Perez, Cuellar, Gillen and Davis all voted for the bill, along with Reps. Tom Suozzi of New York, Josh Harder of California, Marcy Kaptur of Ohio and Kristen McDonald Rivet of Michigan. House Democratic leaders did not appear to give their caucus guidance on how to vote for the bill. It is a sign of illegal immigration's continued potency as a political issue, after proving key to Republicans' victories in the House, Senate and White House last year. The former bill was introduced by Rep. Brad Finstad, R-Minn., and the latter by Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas.
