BRADENTON, FL.—(July 25, 2020)—The New York Liberty’s first-ever No. 1 overall selection, Sabrina Ionescu, made her highly-anticipated WNBA debut today against Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird and the Seattle Storm. Ionescu and the Liberty’s active rookies combined for 34 points in the team’s 71-87 loss to Seattle.
Liberty newcomer and veteran guard, Layshia Clarendon led both teams in scoring with a game high 20 points, shooting 55.6% from the field, along with 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 rebounds. Clarendon also shot 83.3% from the line (10-12).
KEY STATS:
#SayHerName: It has been 134 days since Breonna Taylor was shot and killed in her own apartment. The officers responsible for her death have not been arrested.
New York went 19-22 (86.4%) from the free throw line.
The Liberty shot 34.8% from the field.
New York and Seattle both scored 26 points in the paint.
LIBERTY NOTES:
#SayHerName: It has been 134 days since Breonna Taylor was shot and killed in her own apartment. The officers responsible for her death have not been arrested.
In the season premier, which saw four lead changes and six ties, the Liberty’s newest veteran guard, Layshia Clarendon, led both teams in scoring with 20 points in her debut with New York.
Swedish center Amanda Zahui B finished with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists in 23 minutes of action.
New York’s six active rookies combined for 34 points, and Ionescu led the way in her 33:56 minutes with 12 points, 6 rebounds and four assists. Leaonna Odom and Jocelyn Willoughby each added 9 points, respectively. Willoughby also grabbed 4 rebounds.
After sitting out last season, Kiah Stokes marked her return to seafoam hitting her first career three in the third quarter of the game. She finished with five points on 10 rebounds.
All Star guard Kia Nurse left the game with 8:07 left in the second quarter with an ankle sprain injury.
UP NEXT:
New York will take on the Dallas Wings on Wednesday, July 29. Tip-off is set for 8 PM ET.