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Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu reacts to interaction with Spike Lee as New York secures spot in semifinals

The New York Liberty eliminated the Atlanta Dream from the WNBA playoffs in a short period of time.

Known New York Knicks superfan Spike Lee was there to watch New York's WNBA team reach the semifinals on Tuesday night.

At one point in the third quarter, Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu high-fived the famous film director, who had been sitting courtside throughout the game.

Ionescu later joked about her exchange with Lee.

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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) celebrates during a timeout against the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on September 22, 2024 in Brooklyn, New York. (Wendell Crews/Imagn Images)

“Spike Lee gave me a high-five as I was about to put the ball out,” Ionescu said with a laugh, “and I felt like I had New York City pumping into my veins.”

Sabrina Ionescu celebrates

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) celebrates during a timeout against the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on September 22, 2024 in Brooklyn, New York. (Wendell Crews/Imagn Images)

“At that moment, I thought, 'I can win this.'”

Ionescu tied a franchise playoff record with 36 points and the Liberty beat the Dream 91-82 on Tuesday Night. Jonquel Jones added 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Liberty.

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The Liberty and Las Vegas Aces won outright victories over their first-round opponents and will face off in Sunday's semifinals, and New York has had the goal all season of returning to the Finals and winning the team's first WNBA championship.

Spike Lee

Spike Lee poses for a photo during Game 2 of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs First Round between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty on September 24, 2024 in Brooklyn, New York. (David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images)

To achieve that goal, they'll have to beat the two-time defending champions, who they face in a best-of-five semifinal series starting Sunday in New York.

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“They've been the best team all year. They played like a team … they got the edge,” Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon said, “and we've been working our way up there. I think we've probably gotten the edge back the last three or four weeks. I don't think we're the same team that New York has seen in the past.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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