NEW YORK — Sabrina Ionescu could barely walk during last season’s WNBA Finals. The New York Liberty star needed an injection into her aching hip to even take the floor in the early games of the series against the Las Vegas Aces. She struggled to score, and as the Aces were en route to clinching the championship in a one-point victory on the Liberty’s home court last October, Ionescu threw up into a sideline trash can.
The Liberty and Aces were billed as the WNBA’s super-teams last year because of their star power, including Ionescu. But Vegas made a statement and left a lasting scar for Ionescu.
“Losing,” she said, “motivates you.”
The Liberty had room for growth, and Ionescu recognized that included her. Before traveling home to California last fall, she met with New York’s coaching staff. They discussed in detail how she could improve. While she was good with the ball in her hand, they told her she was too easily defended off-ball. They stressed identifying and taking advantage of pick-and-roll situations. They wanted Ionescu to become a better cutter, play with different speeds and attack the basket more.
Once healthy, she got to work with no physical limitations or, apparently, without a ceiling on how hard she’d push herself.
“It’s just about wanting…
