Sabrina Ionescu reveals only NBA player she replied to immediately after clinching WNBA title: "We started screaming"
Sabrina Ionescu won her first WNBA championship on Sunday after the New York Liberty outlasted the Minnesota Lynx in overtime of Game 5. Many people congratulated Ionescu the night they won the title, but she only replied to her family and one NBA player -- longtime mentor Steph Curry.
Speaking to Complex on Monday, Ionescu shared details about her brief call with Curry after the Liberty's triumph.
"The only person that I really responded to last night besides my family was Steph," Ionescu said. "I was able to call him, FaceTime him for like five seconds. I could barely hear him. It was loud, but we just started screaming and celebrating together and that one means a lot to me."
She added:
"Because of his mentorship and knowing he's been here and he's been rooting for me this entire season. So, that's kind of the only person that I responded right away."
Sabrina Ionescu had a pretty good WNBA Finals series, although she went cold in Game 4 and even had a worst Game 5. Ionescu went 1-for-19, including 1-for-10 from beyond the arc in the title-clinching game. She finished with five points, seven rebounds and eight assists.
Nevertheless, the New York Liberty star was an important part of the team's overall success and championship run. She famously hit the game-winning shot in Game 3.
Ionescu celebrated with the WNBA championship and was even taking photos with it when she suddenly got a cramp. The video of the incident has gone viral, with Steph Curry and Vanessa Bryant among those who had hilarious reactions.
Sabrina Ionescu's relationship with Steph Curry
Speaking to NBC Sports Bay Area before Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, Sabrina Ionescu opened up about his relationship with Steph Curry. Ionescu has formed a bond with Curry over the years, but they got closer this season and he has been available for any advice she needs.
"He's always supported me and kind of been there for me to be able to kind of ask questions, and just that mentorship from him means the world to me," Ionescu said. "I think he knows that as well. So, being able to build our relationship has been something I've been very blessed with."
Ionescu and Curry competed in a 3-point contest earlier this year at the NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis. It was one of the highlights of the event, with Curry squeaking out a win over the newly-crowned WNBA champion.