Sabrina Ionescu says she has "always continued to have that belief" after helping the New York Liberty win the Commissioner's Cup in her best game since returning from injury.

Ionescu scored a game-high 26 points as the Liberty defeated the Las Vegas Aces 93-85 to become the first team to win the competition twice.

Despite Ionescu's impressive display, which also included five rebounds and five assists, Breanna Stewart was named MVP with 25 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

Stewart has become the first player to win the MVP award twice, after also doing so with the Seattle Storm in the competition's inaugural year in 2021, while she is the first player to win the Commissioner's Cup three times (2021, 2023, 2026).

Ionescu, meanwhile, was playing just her eighth game since returning from a back injury and ninth overall this season, after also suffering with a foot problem earlier in the year.

However, the guard is now back to her best, which she knew would happen at some point.

"I've always continued to have that belief myself," said Ionescu.

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— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) July 1, 2026

"An injury or two is not going to diminish my understanding of who I am and the work that I've put in to get to where I'm at today.

"[I had to] obviously continue to keep the faith and understanding the tables will turn at some point, and that was tonight."

Aces coach Becky Hammon also praised Ionescu, who made five of her 13 three-point attempts in the win.

"Her game never takes me by surprise," Hammon said of Ionescu.

"She's too good, and by the way, I don't know if anybody's noticed in this crowd, she likes big moments and big shots."