NEW YORK (AP) — Sabrina Ionescu shares a special bond with filmmaker Spike Lee, dating back to her selection by the New York Liberty. When the Liberty made her the No. 1 pick in 2020, Lee was among the first to reach out and express his excitement.
“He was the first person who called me to celebrate New York’s big news about the No. 1 pick,” Ionescu revealed after scoring 21 points in an 87-77 victory against Las Vegas on Sunday. “Every time I’ve met him, we’ve had casual conversations, and I’ve always told him he needs to come see a game. It was incredible to see him here, cheering us on, engaging with the refs, and chatting with players.”
Spike Lee, a longtime fixture at New York Knicks games, has a reputation for playfully taunting the opposing teams’ players. On this occasion, he was sitting courtside at Barclays Center sporting an Ionescu jersey, enjoying the atmosphere.
During the game, Aces guard Kelsey Plum found herself on the receiving end of Lee’s friendly banter. “I can’t disclose exactly what was said, but I mentioned he should project his voice a bit more,” Plum said with a grin after the match. “It was all in good fun, and it’s really great that he’s here; he’s a passionate sports fan.”
This game marked the second consecutive Liberty playoff game that Lee attended, having also been present for the opening round clincher against Atlanta. During the first matchup, he gave Ionescu a high-five in the third quarter, a moment she described as feeling like “New York was injected into my veins.”
The lively crowd of 14,015 fans included notable Liberty supporters such as Jason Sudeikis and Tracy Morgan, creating an electric atmosphere at the Barclays Center.
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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
