WASHINGTON — Sabrina Ionescu played her best, most balanced offensive games of this young season Friday at a time when the Liberty needed her most.
Less than 24 hours after making six 3s and scoring 24 points in a win against the Valkyries, Ionescu dropped a season-high 28 points on the Mystics court to propel the Liberty to an 85-63 win.
Ionescu, who also handed out five assists, didn’t do it alone.
Jonquel Jones was back in the lineup after missing Thursday’s game with a hamstring issue.
She had 14 points and 18 rebounds.
German forward Leonie Fiebich was also phenomenal, recording 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
The Liberty built an early lead and never let the Mystics back in.
For a moment, it looked like the Liberty were slipping in the third quarter.
The Mystics trimmed New York’s 12-point halftime lead to five after scoring seven unanswered points.
By the 6:56 mark, the Mystics were within four points.
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But the Liberty slammed the door on Washington with a 19-5 run to close out the third quarter.
So much for those supposed third-quarter woes, right?
Jones and Ionescu scored eight and seven points, respectively, during that quarter to help give the Liberty a comfortable lead.
during the game against the Washington Mystics. NBAE via Getty Images
Some fans started heading toward the exits with more than two minutes left after Breanna Stewart’s layup gave the Liberty a 20-point advantage.
The Liberty are scheduled to play the Connecticut Sun on Sunday at Barclays Center.