NEW YORK — Sabrina Ionescu scored 30 points, including six 3-pointers, and the short-handed New York Liberty beat the Connecticut Sun 82-74 on Tuesday night.
It was the last game before the month-long Olympic break for both teams.
The game was tied heading into the fourth quarter before Ionescu hit a 3-pointer to start the final period and give New York (21-4) back the lead it had held for the entire game. That sparked a 10-3 run that gave the Liberty a 73-66 lead midway through the period.
“Ten more minutes, we have to buckle down and play harder,” Ionescu said of the conversation heading into the fourth. “Play our best basketball for 10 more minutes and lock in. (Kennedy Burke) got huge steals for us.”
Connecticut (18-6) twice got within four, but both times Jonquel Jones answered with baskets against her former team. The Sun could get no closer.
Ionescu had her 11th career game with at least 30 points and five 3-pointers, tying her with Jewell Loyd for the third-most such games in WNBA history behind Diana Taurasi (29) and Katie Smith (12). Ionescu now has 50 consecutive games with at least one made 3, the third-longest streak in WNBA history behind Ivory Latta (66, 2013-15) and Taurasi (55, 2007-09).
Ionescu added six rebounds…
