WNBA: China’s Han Xu sets New York Liberty franchise record, Ionescu ties triple-double mark in win over Aces
- Chinese centre scores career-high 24 points and nails perfect 10 from 10 from the field
- Ionescu bags highest-scoring triple-double in league history, with 31 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in 116-107 win over Las Vegas
Sabrina Ionescu had 31 points in the highest-scoring triple-double in WNBA history and China’s Han Xu set a franchise field goals record as the New York Liberty beat Las Vegas 116-107
Ionescu, who tied Candace Parker’s league record of three triple-doubles, also had 13 rebounds and 10 assists. She hit a career-high seven 3-pointers in eight tries and was 10 of 13 from the field overall.
Han meanwhile finished with a career-high 24 points on 91.7% (11-12) shooting from the field, including a perfect 100% (2-2) from deep, a career-high-tying eight rebounds, and three assists – her eleventh double-digit scoring game of the season.
She also set the Liberty franchise record for consecutive field goals made without a miss after shooting a perfect 10-10 from the field.
The Chinese centre’s previous scoring record in the WNBA was 16 points when the Liberty faced the Indiana Fever on June 10. In her second season with the team, Han has averaged 10.5 points and 4.4 rebounds in 17 appearances.
Ionescu, who is in her third-year as a pro, has two triple-doubles this season. New York (9-12) set a franchise single-game scoring record and finished with a season-high 35 assists.
A’ja Wilson had 29 points and nine rebounds for Las Vegas (15-7). The Aces led 63-51 after Kelsey Plum made a three-pointer shortly before halftime, but the Liberty rode on a strong second half to turn the tide.
The Aces had already secured a berth into the 2022 Commissioner’s Cup game against the Chicago on July 26 but missed a chance Wednesday night to play in Las Vegas. The defending WNBA champions Sky can wrap up home court for with a victory over Indiana on Thursday.
