WNBA: Ionescu lifts New York in miraculous comeback over Chicago

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

That was so nice we had to say it twice.

NEW YORK LIBERTY. WHAT IN THE WORLD JUST HAPPENED?

Down by eight points with only 57 seconds left, the resilient New York Liberty squad pulled off a ridiculous stunner and completed a come-from-behind win over the Chicago Sky, 95–94, in the ongoing Women’s National Basketball Association regular season on July 23, 2026.

To achieve the impossible, New York leaned on the clutch offensive performance of superstar Sabrina Ionescu, who dropped nine points in just 38 seconds in one of the most insane closing performances in WNBA history.

Trailing 85–93, New York was already dead in the water as it entered crunch time with only 57 seconds left in the game.

However, Ionescu sparked the comeback with a quick 3-pointer from the right corner that trimmed the deficit to five points, 88–93.

New York’s chances grew after a defensive stop, which Ionescu once again capitalized on by burying a cold-blooded trey from the top of the key to turn the affair into a one-possession game, 91–93.

Chicago gained some relief after making one of two free throws on its next possession, but Ionescu played spoiler by converting a three-point play, tying the game at 94-all with only 15 seconds left in regulation.

Unfortunately, Chicago failed to score on its final offensive possession, while Jonquel Jones iced the game for New York with the game-winning free throws.

Ionescu capped her heroics with a team-high 29 points, shooting an efficient 8 of 11 from the field, including five 3-pointers.

Backing Ionescu was veteran frontcourt star Breanna Stewart, who added 20 points and nine rebounds, while Jones chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds.

On the other hand, Chicago’s Sydney Taylor saw her career-high night spoiled despite exploding for 31 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field.

New York will finally have some much-needed rest after a tough three-game stretch and will return on July 29, 2026, against the Los Angeles Sparks, while Chicago aims to redeem itself on July 31, 2026, against the Connecticut Sun.