Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark (Photos via @SNYLiberty & Getty Images)

New York Liberty All-Star Sabrina Ionescu took a big-time shot at Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever following Saturday’s stunning defeat.

Despite a strong performance from Sabrina Ionescu (22 points, three rebounds and four assists), the WNBA’s best team was upset 83-78 by Caitlin Clark’s Fever. The first overall pick of 2024 tallied 19 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds), becoming the first rookie in league history to record a triple-double.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Ionescu couldn’t help but take a verbal jab at the Fever, stating that Saturday’s win was “their Super Bowl game” and noting that New York secured the season series.

“This is their Super Bowl game. We’ve beaten them three times this year already. We knew they were gonna come into this game really hungry and it’s tough to beat a team four times, it’s just tough in our league.

Sabrina Ionescu also praised the Fever for showing improvement over the season, knowing that the task would be more difficult this time. The Liberty won the first three meetings of 2024 against Indiana, including a 104-68 blowout victory back on June 2.

"This is their Super Bowl game. We've beaten them three times this year already. We knew they were gonna come into this game really hungry and it's tough to beat a team four times."

Sabrina Ionescu talks about how the Fever have grown throughout this season: pic.twitter.com/tRL3sw7jeE

— New York Liberty Videos (@SNYLiberty) July 7, 2024

The Liberty also defeated Indiana on May 16 (102-66) and May 18 (91-80). This was the final regular season meeting between the two clubs, though a rematch in the postseason is always a possibility.

Ionescu and company will try to rebound on Wednesday when they visit the Connecticut Sun in an 11:00 a.m. EST contest. After that, they’ll head start a home-and-home with the Chicago Sky in the Big Apple on Thursday.

Sabrina Ionescu & New York Look Like The Team To Beat

The 26-year-old Sabrina Ionescu is having another MVP-caliber season for the Liberty, averaging 18.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. The PPG average currently marks a career-high for Ionescu.

Despite Saturday’s stunning loss, Ionescu and the Liberty sit atop the WNBA standings with a 17-4 record. The Liberty are half a game up on the Sun and two games clear of the Minnesota Lynx.

There is still plenty of basketball to be played, but the Liberty look like the team to beat as the postseason draws closer.