Portland Trail Blazer guard Damian Lillard took the time Saturday to capture much of Sabrina Ionescu’s WNBA debut with the New York Liberty and said after his team’s rehearsal that he was impressed with the ex’s performance Oregon Ducks star despite some difficulties.
Ionescu, the top pick in the WNBA draft this spring, scored 12 solid points and added six rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes during his team’s 87-71 defeat to the Seattle storm at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida . But her fiery touch has failed her. Ionescu made only 4 of the 17 field goal attempts and made 0 by 8 from the distance of three points against a defense that sometimes doubled it with taller players in an attempt to stop his offensive flow. Ionescu, last year’s college consensual player, committed four turnovers.
Lillard said he thought Ionescu had done well despite his erratic performance.
“When you go from college to professionals, it’s a difference,” said Lillard from the NBA bubble in Florida, where the Blazers were preparing for their second scrimmage on Sunday against Toronto. “It takes time to adapt and get comfortable. So it’s natural to have some bumps on the road. “
Lillard, who scored 21 points on 9 of 19 during his NBA debut on November 2, 2012, said Ionescu’s calm in the face of adversity impressed him.
“I thought his behavior was exceptional,” said Lillard. “I thought she was self-confident. But it is an adaptation. And she will adapt perfectly. “
New York will play Wednesday against Dallas.
– Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress | Subscribe to Oregonian / OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and the most important news
