Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu takes aim deep beyond arc

Taking a 28-foot jump shot isn’t exactly defined as a quality shot for many WNBA players. But for Sabrina Ionescu, that’s about the closest she can get without defenders pressing her to take away a clean look at the basket.

Ionescu was one of two members of the Liberty that participated in the WNBA All-Star Game Sunday in Chicago. The WNBA introduced elements that aren’t a part of the regular-season game, including 20-second shot clocks and automatic points for free-throw attempts.

But one aspect could really play well for Ionescu. That’s the four-point shot, which basketball fans have hypothesized about ever since the three-point shooting prevalence took over professional basketball.

The current WNBA three-point line is 22 feet, 1.75 inches from the center of the rim. The four-point shot was 28 feet away in the All-Star Game.

“I liked it, I think that’s where the game is going,” Ionescu said before Tuesday night’s contest with the Las Vegas Aces at the Barclays Center. “People are stretching the floor. I mean Steph Curry was the one that I think really changed the game introducing that shot so I could see the game moving to that . . .",

"It was fun having [All-Star Game in Chicago]," Ionescu added. "It would be nice to have it here as well."

Ionescu made a four-point shot in her 19-point effort in Sunday’s All-Star Game. But even with 28-footers worth three points in traditional WNBA contests, you’ll find Ionescu taking those shots on a nightly basis.

“That’s where I shoot from normally,” she said. “That’s the only place I’m really open. I don’t usually get open anywhere closer, so that’s a three-point shot for me. I practice it every day pregame, after practice. So for me, that’s where I’m open, that’s where my range is. Whether it’s three or four [points] doesn’t change too much, that’s where I’m shooting from.”

Ionescu, a 24-year-old guard in her third season with the Liberty, entered Tuesday averaging 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.1 assists over 22 games. She is shooting 36.1% from beyond the arc.

Ionescu also won the skills competition during All-Star Weekend.

“She’s Diana Taurasi-like to be quite honest,” coach Sandy Brondello said. “That’s the level where she’s at and she’s so young and she’s only going to get better and better.”

Hoping for a late push

The Liberty entered Tuesday at 9-13, fifth in the Eastern Conference. They are seven games out of first place but just a half-game out of the final playoff spot.

“We’re looking at this second part of the year as, ‘Let’s get healthy and be more consistent, and our goal is to make it to playoffs and every game counts,” Brondello said. “We can’t let any slip so hopefully our focus is where it needs to be.”

Ionescu echoed her coach.

“It’s the final stretch so every game matters,” Ionescu said. “Every game is super important, we have to make a good push and continue to get better so these next 14 games are going to be really big for us.”