Breanna Stewart scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Sabrina Ionescu contributed 13 points and seven assists, leading the New York Liberty to an 86-78 win over the Washington Mystics on Thursday night. With this victory, New York improved to an 8-0 record, marking the best start in franchise history, surpassing the previous 7-0 beginning set in 1997.
In the third quarter, Kennedy Burke made a three-pointer with 3.3 seconds left, extending New York’s lead to 73-57. Washington rallied in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 of the first 18 points and narrowing the gap to 77-71. The Mystics had a chance to cut the deficit to seven with three minutes remaining, but after a turnover, Isabel Harrison completed a three-point play, pushing New York ahead 81-71.
Despite Washington’s 6-0 run that brought the score to 81-77, Stewart made three out of four free throws and Ionescu added two more points to keep the Liberty ahead. Burke finished with 12 points, hitting four three-pointers, helping New York secure the largest margin of victory in franchise history with a 48-point lead.
Rookie Kiki Iriafen led Washington with 17 points, and Jade Melbourne added 15 as the Mystics dropped to 3-6. Stewart scored 14 points in the first half, Ionescu contributed 10, and Burke nailed a corner three-pointer just before halftime, putting the Liberty up 49-34 at the break.
Fan Take: This historic start by the New York Liberty signals a resurgence for the franchise and adds excitement to the WNBA season. Fans can expect a thrilling race as new talents and seasoned stars continue to elevate the level of play and visibility of women’s basketball.
