Ionescu wasn’t alone in delighting the crowd at Barclays Center throughout New York’s 87-77 victory. In addition to Ionescu’s 21 points on 9 of 15 shooting, two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart finished with a team-high 34 points, five rebounds and four assists. Stewart’s frontcourt partner Jonquel Jones added 13 points and 12 boards.

Sabrina Ionescu led the New York Liberty to a 87-77 win against the Las Vegas Aces, while the Connecticut Sun stole Game 1 from the Minnesota Lynx, 73-70.

The reaction from Sabrina Ionescu — the two fists clenched as she turned down the court, the roar as she crossed the white line at the center, all of it — captured everything.