The excellence of Sabrina Ionescu has been well-documented ever since she stepped into the WNBA. She’s a difference maker to those in WNBA spaces, from coaches to fans alike.
What Ionescu is doing this season, however? Nothing short of spectacular. Sabrina is staking her claim to the top of the WNBA food chain — somewhere she probably should’ve been already — night in and out. If anyone had any questions about her ability for some reason, they’ve been answered with aplomb in 2025.
Scoring Easy, Often, And Efficiently
Sabrina Ionescu is currently averaging 19.7 points per game on 42% FG, 32% 3PT and 93% FT splits. Here’s a list of all of the other WNBA players that are doing that or better this season:
- Napheesa Collier (24.8 PPG on 52/42/93 – !!!)
(end of list)
Not much of a list, huh?
Ionescu’s ability to put the ball in the net is only second to the consensus early MVP favorite. Sabrina has always been known for her ability to go get a basket, but mostly from the three-point line. Notably, in 2023, she actually shot better — much better — from three than from 10-14 feet from the basket.
Last year, she made a committed effort to make more shots inside the restricted area. She succeeded in this area, but her three-ball dropped tremendously from 44.8% to 33.3% – her lowest since her first full year in 2021. Now, it’s all coming together.
Ionescu is now at her best from 10-14 feet, shooting 80.7 (!!!) in that area. Couple that with upping her three-point efficiency from last year, and the result is one of the most lethal three-level scorers on earth. In her last five games, Sabrina has gone scorched earth, averaging 24.0 PPG on 43/29/91 splits. She recently put in two straight 34-point masterpieces, with her refined scoring ability on full display.
Sabrina Ionescu is on ANOTHER LEVEL 🔥
Back-to-back 30+ point games for the first time EVER in her career after tonight's win over the Dream!
STATS: 34 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST, 4 threes#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/vRE5z77jqE
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 18, 2025
Ionescu has turned a strength into a superpower – one that no one seems to have an answer for right now.
Defensive Demon
From a superpower to long-time kryptonite, the singular part of Sabrina’s game that’s been rightfully questioned her whole career has been her defensive ability. From 2021-2023, Ionescu’s average defensive rating was 102.2. She was a constant target for offense for players to get bucket after bucket without fail.
Then, much like her inside game, 2024 marked a huge leap in Ionescu’s defensive prowess. Her defensive rating was a career low 96.6, and she was good for a steal a game. This year, she’s soared even further with a 92.2 DRTG and 1.8 steals per game – good for a spot within the top 10.
Ionescu has stated repeatedly that her defense was a point of improvement, and now those within and supporting the Liberty organization are recognizing her massive growth in the area.
The narrative that Sabrina cant stop a nosebleed or is a “cone” on defense is dying day-by-day.
What Sky Is The Limit?
No pun intended, of course.
It is something to wonder about – what is Sabrina’s sky for 2025? An All-Star? 1st-team All-W? 1st Place MVP Votes? Those last two honors are honors Ionescu has not received before, but if she keeps up her current form she’ll for sure change one and possibly change both.
One thing is for certain, however – the level of Sabrina Ionescu play is not to be discounted at the moment.
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