Watch: Carmelo Anthony ensures a smooth landing for Sabrina Ionescu as Liberty star gets shoved

Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty secured a 88-84 win Tuesday to go up 2-0 in their second-round series against the Las Vegas Aces. No team in the WNBA has ever come back to win from being down 2-0 in a five-game series.

NBA legend Carmelo Anthony was courtside at Barclays Center to cheer for the Liberty. Anthony has a deep connection with the city, having spent six-and-a-half years with the New York Knicks.

While he was enjoying the game, he had to come to Ionescu’s rescue as she was slightly shoved by Las Vegas’ Chelsea Gray toward the end of the fourth quarter. Watch the moment here:

The Liberty were up 84-82 with 10 seconds left on the clock. As Sabrina Ionescu had possession of the ball, the Aces had no choice but to foul her. As Gray tried to take an intentional foul, Ionescu lost her balance and fell on Anthony, who ensured no damage was done to the Liberty star.

Ionescu was New York’s top scorer with 24 points. She also had nine rebounds and five assists. She shot 9 of 18 from the floor, including 3 of 9 from beyond the arc.

Sabrina Ionescu said Liberty aren’t “celebrating” yet

While no team has come back from a 2-0 deficit, Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty are in no mood to take any chances or go complacent, especially against the team that beat them in last year’s WNBA finals. When Ionescu was asked about it after the game, she said:

“Yes, yeah, I mean being up to it was great, but we didn't win anything. I think everyone knows that. We did what we were supposed to do, which was protect home court. … But it's not like we're patting ourselves on the back and celebrating, talking about how happy we are. This isn't what we came to do.

"We didn't come to just win two games at home and then be satisfied. So, I think we're a hungry group. Obviously, we're pleased with the way we came out today."

Sabrina Ionescu continued:

"We battled. They came out swinging, playing really aggressive and to be able to see how we just stuck together and chipped away quarter by quarter. Made big plays when we needed to and now have a great opportunity to go take that first one at their home court. That's where our goal is and that's what we're gonna go do.”

The series now moves to Las Vegas with the Aces facing elimination in a do-or-die Game 3 on Friday.