Game 1 of the New York Liberty-Phoenix Mercury playoff series set the tone for a first-round showdown between two of the WNBA’s top teams.
Natasha Cloud poured in 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting and Breanna Stewart added 18 points and six rebounds before exiting with a left-knee injury late in overtime.
Sabrina Ionescu contributed 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds, engineering key fourth-quarter sequences, while Leonie Fiebich’s clutch three with less than a minute remaining in overtime closed out the 76-69 victory.
On Monday, less than 24 hours after New York’s big road win, luggage innovator Away and Ionescu announced a multi-year partnership, marking the first time a WNBA player has teamed with a travel brand.
The Instagram post was captioned “Game recognize game. We’re teaming up with New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu—WNBA Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, and four-time All-Star—because precision under pressure is what we both do best.”
Away and Ionescu will reportedly co-design a limited-edition luggage collection slated for 2026, blending Away’s signature silhouettes with Ionescu’s eye for performance and style.
The collaboration will go beyond products, extending to community impact initiatives through Ionescu’s SI20 Foundation to support young athletes and outfitting Liberty teammates with custom Away gear throughout the season.
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) dribbles against the Minnesota Lynx. Brad Rempel-Imagn Images© Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Ionescu’s sixth professional season has solidified her status as one of the league’s most versatile playmakers. Across 38 regular-season games, she has averaged 18.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds and a career-high 1.3 steals in 31.4 minutes per game, all on 40.1% shooting and 93.3% from the free-throw line.
A former No. 1 overall draft pick and Nike signature athlete, Ionescu has also built a massive portfolio of high-profile endorsements, including deals with 1800 Tequila, AT&T, Beats by Dre and many others.
