Ionescu had 25 points, three rebounds and two assists in a 84-61 win for the New York Liberty over the Toyota Antelopes in front of a sellout crowd Monday night.

Preseason basketball games are like a trial run. It’s a chance for players to build chemistry with one another and to test out different lineups.

The New York Liberty are in a pretty good spot, and they know it. So does the rest of the WNBA world. As the defending champions, the Liberty go into the season with sky-high expectations and the confidence that comes with that. The roster is loaded and the track record of success is there.

Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson declared Monday as Sabrina Ionescu Day as the New York Liberty star is back in town for a WNBA preseason game.

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu takes on role as reporter to ask teammate Jonquel Jones post game question.

BROOKLYN, NY - MAY 9: Jonquel Jones #35 of the New York Liberty dribbles the ball during the game against the Connecticut Sun during the WNBA Preseason Game on May 9, 2025 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

Monday night’s Met Gala appearances were part of a long victory lap for Stewart and Liberty stars who secured the first WNBA title in franchise history back in October.

The turning of the calendar muddles the memory, especially at the rate life blurs by these days. Maybe you hadn’t thought about this transcendent occurrence in a while, and that’s alright. But go ahead — today,