New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu reacts after the Liberty defeated the Chicago Sky 98-91 in Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) - Sabrina Ionescu had 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists, Natasha Howard also scored 22 points and the seventh-seeded New York Liberty beat the defending champion Chicago Sky 98-91 on Wednesday night in the opening game of the WNBA playoffs.
New York scored the final 13 points of the fourth quarter as Chicago missed 10 of its last 11 shots. Ionescu made a 3-pointer and a jumper from the free-throw line during the run, and Marine Johannes highlighted the spurt with an over-the-shoulder pass to Howard.
'œWe've been in this situation all year and early on we were losing these games,'ť Ionescu said. "But we found out what it takes to win and we showed that tonight. We gotta do it again."
New York, which won its first playoff game since Sept. 23, 2015, will play Game 2 of the best-of-three series at Chicago on Saturday.
Betnijah Laney added 17 points and Stefanie Dolson scored 13 points for New York, which set a franchise scoring record in the playoffs. Dolson, a center, made 3 of 4 3-pointers to help the Liberty go 11 for 25 from distance.
Kahleah Copper led the second-seeded Sky with 21 points. Allie Quigley scored 18 points, Candace Parker had 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, and Courtney Vandersloot added 13 points and 10 assists.
Chicago took its first lead of the second half, 74-73, with a second left in the third quarter on Emma Meesseman's layup. Quigley sank a 3-pointer while being fouled and she made the free throw to give Chicago an 85-81 lead, and Parker added a putback on the Sky's next possession for a six-point lead with 6:36 left.
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Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot, left, drives to the basket against New York Liberty guard Marine Johannes during the second half in Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Chicago. The Liberty won 98-91. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney, left, shoots over Chicago Sky guard Kahleah Copper during the first half in Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, left, drives against Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker during the first half in Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, left, looks to pass as Chicago Sky guard Rebekah Gardner guards during the first half in Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu drives past Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker during the first half in Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
New York Liberty guard Rebecca Allen, right, looks to pass as Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot defends during the first half in Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press