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Sabrina Ionescu · After absorbing a predictably-powerful Game One demonstration from the No. 1-seeded New York Liberty, the Atlanta Dream, eyeing a bounceback two days later, publicly committed themselves to the goal of a strong response. For much of Game Two, that rebuttal was loud, but it couldn’t quite match the volume of the “M-V-P” chants that would be serenaded Sabrina Ionescu’s way after her historic exhibit on September 24, 2024. Sensing a particularly important possession during a back-and-forth second quarter affair, Ionescu halts entirely, making herself available to bring the ball up. Soon prepared to challenge Jordin Canada to a game of pick-and-roll hide-and-seek, Ionescu, eventually discovering a sliver of space, steps into a 3-pointer, prompting both an Atlanta timeout, and the Liberty’s first lead since the opening minutes. Ionescu’s performance left behind only a singular personal critique, as she came within one point shy of breaking the Liberty franchise’s single-game postseason scoring record. Electric nonetheless, Ionescu — in a game in which she scored or assisted on 55 points — finalized her evening with 36 points (on 12-of-23 shooting) alongside nine assists, three steals, and five 3-pointers. · State of Mint