WNBA opening night takeaways: Sabrina Ionescu, Daina Taurasi game-winners, Charli Collier debuts and more

The WNBA’s 25th season kicked off with opening night heroics galore from Sabrina Ionescu and Diana Taurasi, in particular, who hit game-winners.

We couldn’t have scripted it any better. Here are the biggest takeaways from each of the four games on Friday night that saw New York, Connecticut, Phoenix and Dallas come away with wins.

1. Sabrina Ionescu is back with authority

Sabrina Ionescu is back and hungrier than ever after missing the majority of her rookie season with an ankle injury.

Tied at 87-87 in the final seconds of the WNBA’s season opener, Ionescu called game with a buzzer-beater from distance.

Few players can say they hit a game-winner for their first victory as a professional athlete, but we’ve always known Ionescu was special. A triple-double machine during her college days with the Oregon Ducks, the 2020 No. 1 overall pick finished with 25 points, 11 assists and six boards on opening night.

2. Jonquel Jones and DeWanna Bonner combine for 47 points in Sun’s win

The long-awaited debut of the Sun’s version of the Twin Towers was nothing short of spectacular. Jonquel Jones and DeWanna Bonner lit up the Atlanta Dream for a combined 47 points on 16-of-27 shots.

The dynamic duo added 15 rebounds and eight assists to crush Atlanta’s hopes of a victory.

Jones showed no rust in her first game with the Sun in 582 days. The two-time WNBA All-Star opted out of the 2020 “Wubble“, missing Bonner’s first season with Connecticut.

The pair will be a force to be reckoned with as the Sun pursue their first WNBA title. Bonner is a three-time All-Star in her own right and brings a championship resume from her two titles with the Phoenix Mercury.

3. Diana Taurasi’s still as clutch as ever

Not to be outdone by Ionescu’s heroics, Diana Taurasi showed her storied career is far from over. Some shot clock controversy aside, who else would you want to handle the ball with the game on the line but the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer?

That was Taurasi’s 1,166th WNBA 3-pointer. Taurasi still has ice in her veins. Count it.

4. No. 1 overall pick Charli Collier has a double-double in Dallas debut

She may not be the flashiest player but Dallas’ Charli Collier showed off the blue-chip, workhorse pedigree that made her the 2021 No. 1 pick. The Texas product finished with a double-double in her pro debut, helping power the Wings to a 94-71 rout of the LA Sparks. Collier’s 11 points came off 4-of-6 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from the line. She added a block and a steal in her first 26 minutes of WNBA action.