Dallas – The Ego of Sabrina Ionescu
Professional athletes definitely need a healthy ego, and Sabrina Ionescu embodies that quality.
As a star of the Liberty, she skillfully navigates the tricky balance of pride and personal achievement. Just like the double-teams she encounters on the court, she’s quite aware of the obstacles ahead and precisely when to tackle them.
Ionescu isn’t one to fall victim to her own overconfidence.
With her teammate Napheesa Collier sidelined due to a right ankle sprain, the MVP conversation is heating up. Ionescu sees herself as a dark horse in this competitive race.
Before Friday’s match against the Wings, Coach Sandy Blondero voiced support for Ionescu, mentioning that she sees four All-Stars who should be considered serious candidates.
However, for Ionescu, being named MVP is more a byproduct of her overarching goal: leading her team to back-to-back WNBA championships.
“That’s the most important thing,” Ionescu shared. “When I play like an MVP, it means we have a chance to win. I’m not just focused on scoring; it’s about getting assists, grabbing rebounds—doing everything on the court.”
This season has been quite challenging for the Liberty, plagued by injuries.
They’ve only played two games at full strength and have missed their previous league MVPs, Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart.
Yet, Ionescu has been a constant presence, showing up night after night.
She has only missed one game this season due to a neck issue, which had an impact on her performance during that stretch in June.
Other than that, Ionescu continues to lead her team, helping them maintain the second spot in the league standings despite the challenges.
As of Friday, she ranked fifth in the league for scoring, averaging 20 points per game. She also stands sixth among guards in rebounds (4.9) and eighth in assists (5.5), though she also averages a substantial 11 minutes per game.
She was recognized as a standout player in July and has been emotional since the All-Star break.
Still, the statistics only tell part of Ionescu’s story. It’s not always easy to quantify her impact just through box scores.
Her presence on the court can disrupt defensive strategies. The way she moves without the ball can create opportunities for her teammates.
She’s great in transition and can deliver a pinpoint pass from across the court.
Additionally, Ionescu has shown improvement in her defense, partly because she entered this season in the best shape of her life.
“She has impressed us all season long with whatever we needed,” Blondero remarked. “We know she can score, but she also rebounds and creates offense for her teammates. Yes, she’s definitely in the MVP conversation.”
While some voters don’t have a minimum game requirement for MVP eligibility, they usually think players should participate in about 75-80% of the regular season.
This year, that translates to 33-35 games.
Collier has played 26 games and is expected to be out for at least two weeks, with the potential for a longer absence. Alyssa Thomas, having appeared in 25 games, also merits consideration for MVP.
After claiming the award last year, A’ja Wilson’s candidacy has been overshadowed by the Aces’ inconsistent play this season.
Ionescu has a chance to boost her MVP chances in the remaining 15 games, though she doesn’t seem overly concerned about it.
“What matters most to me is my personal growth,” Ionescu stated. “It’s challenging, but I’m continually evolving as a player, and I recognize that what I achieve now barely scratches the surface of my potential.”
