BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty cruised to an 85-66 victory over Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky at Barclays Center on Tuesday night, improving their record to an unbeaten 9-0 in the WNBA’s Commissioner’s Cup. The game, a showcase of elite talent, was overshadowed by a heartwarming postgame moment when Ionescu and Reese shared embraces with Vanessa Bryant and her daughters—Natalia, Bianka, and Capri—courtside, a scene that lit up X with fans celebrating the connection to Kobe Bryant’s legacy.
Ionescu, a mentee of the late Kobe Bryant, led the Liberty with 23 points, seven assists, four steals, and two blocks, dismantling Chicago’s defense with her playmaking. Breanna Stewart added 18 points and seven rebounds, while the Liberty’s smothering defense held the Sky to 34% shooting. Angel Reese, despite the loss, delivered a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, though her five turnovers reflected Chicago’s struggle against New York’s pressure. The Sky, now 2-6, couldn’t keep pace, trailing by as many as 22 points in the third quarter.
The postgame moment stole the show. Vanessa Bryant, courtside with her daughters, embraced Ionescu, who has maintained a close bond with the family since Kobe and Gianna’s tragic 2020 passing. Reese, towering over Vanessa and Natalia at 6-foot-3, bent down to greet Bianka, 8, and Capri, 5, sparking smiles and fan posts on X calling it a “beautiful tribute to Kobe’s love for the WNBA.” Ionescu, who coached Gianna’s Mamba Ballers and shares a “Geppetto” nickname from Kobe, has long carried his mentorship forward, while Reese’s admiration for the Bryant legacy added depth to the encounter.
The game itself was a tale of two teams. New York’s balanced attack and defensive intensity overwhelmed Chicago, which missed Courtney Vandersloot, sidelined by a knee injury. Fans on X praised Ionescu’s “Mamba mentality,” while others noted Reese’s resilience despite the Sky’s rough 2-6 start. The Liberty’s 19-point win underscored their championship pedigree, but the night belonged to the Bryant family’s presence, uniting two stars in a moment of shared respect.
Watch this massive wreck in a dirt race on Tuesday night here.
