Veteran guard Sabrina Ionescu finally stepped onto the court for New York, ending a five‑game absence caused by a preseason foot injury. She knocked down a deep three with 5:11 left in the first half, then added four quick points early. Her debut coincided with a 91‑76 loss to the Dallas Wings on Sunday, a margin that left the Liberty trailing in the early conference race.

Paige Bueckers poured in 24 points while rookie Azzi Fudd matched that total, hitting a career‑high 24 in the third quarter. Fudd’s five‑straight treys turned a one‑point halftime deficit into a 66‑53 lead. Dallas also logged seven triples that period, and Arike Ogunbowale, now 4‑3 with the Wings, added 19 points. New York’s Satou Sabally led the Liberty with 20, but Betnijah Laney‑Hamilton remained out for personal reasons.

The loss dropped the Liberty to 3‑3, widening the gap behind the conference leaders and putting pressure on a squad still missing key pieces. Ionescu’s 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds proved insufficient, even with Sabally’s 20. Meanwhile the Dallas Wings moved to a stronger standing, their guard trio delivering a decisive win that solidifies early playoff positioning.