New York Liberty arrived at Michelob ULTRA Arena hoping to stop the two-time champions Las Vegas Aces, but ran into an unstoppable opponent. Becky Hammon’s squad delivered a dominant performance and secured their fifth consecutive win, leaving the scoreboard clearly in their favor.
Although the loss was painful, what truly ignited the WNBA community was a specific play. In the fourth quarter, with 9:00 left to play, Sabrina Ionescu attempted a mid-range shot… and missed spectacularly: the ball didn’t even touch the rim.
Ionescu and the Bryant family
The account BricksCentre posted an image of the moment with a caption that sparked chaos: “THE FEMALE KOBE BRYANT” alongside a fire emoji. Comparisons to the Lakers legend aren’t new: Ionescu has a special bond with the Bryant family, forged during her college years, and still keeps a photo with Kobe and Gianna as her profile picture.
During her time at Oregon, Kobe became her mentor, teaching her iconic moves like the fadeaway and sharing his famous “Mamba mentality.” That connection has followed her throughout her career, which makes her mistakes subject to intense scrutiny.
Fans don’t forgive Sabrina Ionescu
Comments on social media quickly surfaced: “What was that horror?” wrote one user. Others recalled that, just hours after paying tribute to Kobe and Gianna, Ionescu made NCAA history with a unique record of 2,000 points, 1,000 assists, and 1,000 rebounds. For many, her composure under pressure has always been worthy of her mentor, but this time, the magic didn’t show up.
With 18 points, below her average of 19.4, and a modest 6-for-15 from the field, the point guard couldn’t make the difference. Some fans turned to humor, comparing her miss to recent bizarre incidents in the WNBA, like the infamous “green object” thrown onto the court.
New York Liberty is in trouble
Without Breanna Stewart, Liberty fought hard but couldn’t match Las Vegas’s intensity. “All these games matter. Every match feels like win or go home,” said Ionescu after the loss, fully aware of what’s at stake.
Now, New York stands at 21-12, third in the WNBA, just two games ahead of the Aces (19-14) with less than a month left in the regular season. The question is clear: can the reigning champions withstand the pressure and secure their playoff spot before the Lynx snatch the top position?
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