New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu had multiple reasons to celebrate before the final game of the 2025 WNBA preseason. Not only did Ionescu receive a day in her honor from the city of Eugene ahead of her return to Oregon, but she also got to share a fun bonding moment with her family and teammate Natasha Cloud.

The reigning WNBA champions were warming up for their preseason closer against Japan's Toyota Antelopes at Oregon's Matthew Knight Arena, where Ionescu played her iconic college career as a member of the Ducks, when the arena put on Romanian music as a tribute to her.

Cloud, on the court, then joined in on a dance with the Ionescu family in the stands.

This hasn't been the first time Ionescu and Cloud have connected over the former's Romanian heritage recently. The day before, the duo had a friendly back-and-forth on X, formerly Twitter, after the Liberty arrived in Eugene, Oregon.

After spending time in Ionescu's old stomping ground, Cloud tweeted, “I think I'm officially invited to the Romanian version of a cookout.” The three-time WNBA All-Star confirmed Cloud's suspicions, responding, “You absolutely are,” which got a gleeful, “Told y'all,” out of “Tash.”

Article Continues Below
More New York Liberty News
Featured image Jonquel Jones
Liberty HC Sandy Brondello offers Jonquel Jones injury updateDylan Fine ·
New York Liberty forward Kennedy Burke (22) celebrates with Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) against the Washington Mystics in the second half at Entertainment & Sports Arena.
Historic start puts Liberty on WNBA Finals rematch pathMiguel La Torre ·
New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) shoots the ball as Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen (44) looks on in the first half at Entertainment & Sports Arena.
Breanna Stewart is doing something the former MVP has never done beforeRussell Steinberg ·
New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones (35) reacts during the second half against the Connecticut Sun at Barclays Center.
Liberty’s Jonquel Jones exits vs. Mystics with apparent injuryZachary Howell ·
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) during the first half against the Golden State Valkyries at Barclays Center.
Sabrina Ionescu breaks Liberty’s all-time 3-point record vs. MysticsDavid Yapkowitz ·
New York Liberty guard Marine Johannes (23) shoots the ball while being defended by Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) during the second half at Barclays Center.
How the Liberty made 3-point history twice in season’s first monthRussell Steinberg ·

Ionescu was in great spirits over the two days the team was in Oregon for her homecoming exhibition. Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson gifted her “Sabrina Ionescu Day” on May 12, the same day the Liberty were set to take on the Antelopes.

Before she became a WNBA title-winner, Ionescu was a star at Oregon for four seasons. She was robbed of a final shot at a national championship when March Madness was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, but Ionescu still impressively put up 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game in 142 career college contests.

The eventual first overall pick also walked away with multiple accolades, including two John R. Wooden Awards and finishing as the NCAA's all-time leader in triple-doubles.