Sabrina Ionescu Set for Season Debut Against Dallas Wings Sabrina Ionescu is preparing to return to the court for the New York Liberty, set to make her season debut on Sunday as the team faces the Dallas Wings. The guard confirmed her participation in a press conference following practice on Saturday, expressing her excitement about rejoining the action. “It’s exciting to me,” Ionescu said. “I haven’t had a regular-season game yet, so I’m excited. It feels like it’s been a while. It hasn’t, but it feels like it’s been forever having to watch from the sidelines.” Ionescu sustained a left ankle injury during a preseason game on May 4, which has kept her sidelined since. An MRI conducted after the injury revealed no major damage to the foot or ankle, a finding that aligns with her rookie season injury but with a different context. “I could put weight on my foot, so I knew it wasn’t major,” she explained. “But it wasn’t not an injury. I knew that because of what it felt like. I knew I was going to be out for a little bit, and thankfully I can come back a lot sooner than I was supposed to with returning now.” While the MRI ruled out significant structural issues, Ionescu acknowledged there was some damage to her ankle. However, she emphasized that the injury responded quickly to treatment, and it will not require further intervention or surgery. “Once it healed, I’m good to go,” she said. “I’m really excited to be back and work myself back into feeling good as it continues to heal.” Ionescu participated in practice this week, though she was labeled as questionable for the Liberty’s Thursday game against the Golden State Valkyries. She was ultimately ruled out for that matchup but remains optimistic about her readiness for Sunday’s contest.#dallas_wings #chris_demarco #new_york_liberty #sabrina_ionescu #golden_state_valkyries
Golden State Valkyries Dominate New York Liberty in Season Opener, Spoiling Satou Sabally's Debut The Golden State Valkyries delivered a commanding performance in their Thursday night matchup against the New York Liberty, securing an 87-70 victory that overshadowed Satou Sabally’s season debut. Gabby Williams led the way for Golden State, scoring 16 points to anchor a balanced offensive attack. The Valkyries, who entered the game with a 3-1 record, extended their dominance by outscoring the Liberty 18-9 in the first six minutes and maintaining a comfortable lead throughout the contest. New York, which had averaged a league-leading 100 points in its first four games of the season, struggled to find rhythm against Golden State’s disciplined defense. The Liberty’s offense, which had previously showcased explosive scoring, was held to just 24 points from beyond the arc, with the team shooting 6 for 24 on three-point attempts. Golden State’s depth proved decisive, as five players finished with double-figure scoring contributions, showcasing the team’s ability to distribute the ball effectively. Sabally, a high-profile free agent signed by the Liberty in the offseason, made her debut in the game but was limited to five points in nearly 16 1/2 minutes. The 27-year-old forward, who had previously suffered a concussion during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals last season, started the game and received a warm ovation from the crowd upon her introduction. However, her impact was muted, as the Liberty’s offense continued to grapple with inconsistencies. New York’s struggles were compounded by the absence of key players, including starters Sabrina Ionescu (foot injury) and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (personal reasons).#breanna_stewart #satou_sabally #new_york_liberty #golden_state_valkyries #gabby_williams
Valkyries blow out Liberty, 87-70, in Satou Sabally's New York debut The Golden State Valkyries defeated the New York Liberty 87-70 in Thursday’s game at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, marking Satou Sabally’s debut with her new team. Sabally, who missed all of the 2026 Unrivaled season after sustaining a concussion during Game 3 of the 2025 WNBA Finals against the Las Vegas Aces, played 16 minutes in her first game since October 2025. She recorded five points, four rebounds, and two assists. The Liberty, meanwhile, struggled in the first quarter, trailing 25-15, with most of their scoring coming from Pauline Astier (seven points) and Breanna Stewart (four points). Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 16 points, shooting 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Veronica Burton and Kaila Charles each added 13 points, with Burton contributing four rebounds and seven assists, including three 3-pointers. Charles tallied seven rebounds. The Valkyries extended their season record to 3-1 and improved their road record to 2-0. Sabally’s 3-pointer in the third quarter cut the Valkyries’ lead to 42-37, but Golden State quickly reestablished a double-digit advantage, and New York could not close the gap. Stewart finished with a game-high 18 points and nine rebounds for the Liberty, while Jonquel Jones added 16 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. The Liberty fell to 3-2. Both Sabally and Sabrina Ionescu, who missed the game due to a left foot injury sustained during the preseason, were game-time decisions. Ionescu remains sidelined, while Sabally continues to recover from a cyst and regain her conditioning. Sabally’s performance in her debut highlighted her previous contributions. Last season with the Phoenix Mercury, she averaged 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.#satou_sabally #new_york_liberty #golden_state_valkyries #brooklyns_barclays_center #pauline_astier
Sabrina Ionescu sidelined as Liberty travel to expansion Fire The New York Liberty’s star guard, Sabrina Ionescu, will miss her first WNBA games in Oregon due to a left foot injury, delaying her return to the court until next season. The injury forces her to sit out the upcoming matchups against the expansion Portland Fire on Tuesday and Thursday at the Moda Center. Ionescu, a former University of Oregon standout, had been anticipated to make her debut with the Liberty, but the setback means she will not be part of the team’s early-season action. In her absence, the Liberty have leaned on Marine Johannes, who stepped up with a career-high 25 points, including six 3-pointers, in a 98-93 overtime victory over the Washington Mystics on Sunday. The win improved the Liberty’s record to 2-0, marking a strong start to the 2026 season. Johannes’ performance was highlighted by her ability to contribute both offensively and defensively, with coach Chris DeMarco praising her competitiveness and confidence. “She’s a really special player,” DeMarco said. “She needs to have confidence, and we’re gonna live with the mistakes she makes. And it’s really part of her greatness and her all-around game.” Breanna Stewart added 23 points and nine rebounds, while rookie Pauline Astier, another French import, contributed 18 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Jonquel Jones also played a key role with 13 points and eight rebounds. The Liberty’s balanced scoring and team effort helped secure the win, showcasing their depth despite Ionescu’s absence. Meanwhile, the expansion Portland Fire made a strong debut with a record-breaking crowd of 19,335 for their season opener on Saturday.#portland_fire #chris_demarco #new_york_liberty #sabrina_ionescu #marine_johannes
Injury-Hit Liberty Make Two Hardship Signings Before Opener The New York Liberty, entering their 30th season, faced a challenging start as they finalized their roster with two last-minute signings just days before their regular-season opener. The team, already missing several key players due to injuries and overseas commitments, secured Julie Vanloo and Aubrey Griffin under hardship contracts to ensure they had enough players for the game against the Connecticut Sun. Sabrina Ionescu, the team’s star guard, is sidelined with a left foot injury sustained during a preseason matchup against the Sun. Rebecca Allen, a forward, has a left leg injury, while Satou Sabally, a key free agent signing this offseason, is out due to a cyst. Coach Chris DeMarco described Sabally’s recovery as “day to day,” expressing uncertainty about her availability for the team’s upcoming three-game road trip. Ionescu is expected to miss a couple of weeks, while Allen may return in time for the weekend matchup. The Liberty also lack Raquel Carrera and Leonie Fiebich, who are fulfilling professional obligations abroad. Meanwhile, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, who missed the previous season after recovering from a meniscus tear and undergoing surgery in March 2025, is set to make her first appearance in over a year. To address the roster shortfall, the Liberty acted swiftly, signing Vanloo and Griffin hours before the opener. Vanloo, a point guard waived by the Los Angeles Sparks, flew from Los Angeles to New York after being cut and landed at 1 a.m. local time. She spent the six-hour flight studying the playbook and attended the team’s morning shootaround to prepare.#new_york_liberty #julie_vanloo #aubrey_griffin #sabrina_ionescu #rebecca_allen
WNBA Player Rankings: The Top 50 Players Heading Into 2026 As the WNBA prepares to kick off its 30th season with a new collective bargaining agreement in place and the addition of new franchises in Portland and Toronto, a comprehensive ranking of the league’s top 50 players has been released. The list, which excludes rookies and unsigned players but includes those expected to return from injuries within the first two months of the season, highlights the league’s most impactful athletes ahead of the 2026 campaign. The New York Liberty and Atlanta Dream lead the rankings with six players each, while the Las Vegas Aces, Chicago Sky, and Los Angeles Sparks each have five representatives. The rankings open with A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, who remains the league’s dominant force. The four-time MVP and defending champion secured her fourth regular-season MVP award in 2025, leading the Aces to their third WNBA title. Wilson’s 23.4 points per game, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 2025 underscore her continued excellence, including a 50.5% shooting efficiency from the field and an 80% free-throw accuracy. Her performance solidified her position as the league’s most consistent player. Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury follows in second place, showcasing her elite playmaking abilities. The forward led the WNBA in assists per game in 2025, breaking the league’s single-season record with 357 assists. Her 15.4 points, 9.2 assists, and 8.8 rebounds per game reflect her role as a dual threat, while her eight triple-doubles—more than the rest of the league combined—highlight her dominance. Thomas’s ability to elevate her team’s offense while maintaining defensive impact makes her a key figure in the rankings.#las_vegas_aces #wnba #phoenix_mercury #new_york_liberty #atlanta_dream
Caitlin Clark Returns to Court with Fever, Secures Preseason Victory NEW YORK -- In her first WNBA action since mid-July, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark contributed seven points, four assists, and three rebounds in under 17 minutes as the Fever defeated the New York Liberty 109-91 in their preseason opener on Saturday. The game marked Clark’s return to the court after a challenging 2025 season, during which she played only 13 games due to injuries. Her previous game back came last month, when she represented USA Basketball and earned MVP honors at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in San Juan. Despite the non-counting nature of the preseason matchup, Clark expressed immense excitement about rejoining the team. “Super, super excited” she said, emphasizing the significance of being able to “lace up her shoes” after a season marred by limited playing time. “I didn’t really get to do that very much,” she added, reflecting on her reduced role in 2025. Her enthusiasm was evident as she quickly found her rhythm, hitting her first two shots for five points in the opening 71 seconds. However, she struggled with subsequent attempts, missing eight of her next nine field goals. Clark’s impact extended beyond her scoring, as she showcased her leadership and court vision. Fever coach Stephanie White praised her composure, noting that “she didn’t force anything” and played with “great intention.” White highlighted the team’s adaptation to her presence, stating, “We play differently when she’s on the floor.” The coach acknowledged the challenges of translating her international success to the WNBA, where opponents employ different defensive strategies. “We’ve just got to find ways to free her up to get her some easy looks,” White said, underscoring the team’s focus on optimizing her role.#san_juan #caitlin_clark #indiana_fever #new_york_liberty
WNBA Celebrates 30th Season With Retro Throwback Jerseys and Court Origins Program The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is commemorating its 30th season with a nostalgic tribute to its inaugural year, 1997, through its Court Origins initiative. The program, announced on April 24, features retro-inspired basketballs and jerseys for the league’s three surviving founding franchises—the Los Angeles Sparks, the New York Liberty, and the Phoenix Mercury—as well as special courts and game schedules designed to honor the league’s legacy. The Court Origins Wilson EVO NXT basketball, which is identical to the model currently used by the WNBA, has been retrofitted with vintage aesthetics. The ball retains its alternating panel design but features lighter panels in vintage white or cream tones. Two panels bear retro league logos, while the third panel displays the WNBA’s 30th season logo alongside a modern player silhouette. This design bridges the gap between past and present, reflecting the league’s evolution over three decades. Each of the three original franchises will don custom jerseys that replicate their 1997 looks. The Sparks’ jersey is predominantly yellow with purple side panels extending to the shoulders and white panels over the shoulders. A retro wordmark for the team, featuring a teal-accented palm tree, runs across the chest, paired with an offset purple number. The Liberty’s jersey is mostly black, with seafoam green side panels outlined in orange and silver over the shoulders. The team’s original wordmark, which replaces the “I” in “LIBERTY” with a torch, is arched across the chest. The Mercury’s jersey is red with purple side panels and yellow over the shoulders, featuring a slanted wordmark and a white number outlined in purple.#los_angeles_sparks #las_vegas_aces #wnba #phoenix_mercury #new_york_liberty
Breanna Stewart Attributes Liberty's 2025 Struggles to Loss of 'Flow State' Under Brondello The New York Liberty’s championship defense in 2024, marked by seamless teamwork and dominance, turned into a first-round playoff collapse in 2025, ending Sandy Brondello’s tenure with the team. The Liberty faced an unexpected defeat at the hands of the Phoenix Mercury, a team CBS Sports had not previously labeled a title contender. Veteran forward Breanna Stewart, a key figure in the team’s 2024 success, reflected on the challenges that derailed the 2025 season, pointing to the loss of the team’s “flow state” as a critical factor. Stewart described the “flow state” as a phase where the team’s actions were perfectly synchronized, a hallmark of their 2024 championship run. “When you’re in that flow state, you have to have chemistry and keep it,” she said. “We had a lot of changes between our championship season and 2025. Trying to recreate that flow state quickly didn’t work.” The Liberty’s 2024 campaign was defined by their Big Three—Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones—alongside Courtney Vandersloot, who orchestrated the team’s success. Their dominance was evident in sweeping the Atlanta Dream in the playoffs and defeating the Las Vegas Aces in the second round. However, the 2025 season brought significant disruptions. Vandersloot, a vital playmaker, returned to the Chicago Sky, while Jones suffered a right knee injury that sidelined her for multiple games. The team attempted to address Vandersloot’s absence by signing Natasha Cloud, but the chemistry that defined 2024 never materialized. Injuries and inconsistency plagued the roster, with the team’s rebounding numbers dropping from over 36 per game in 2024 to around 33 in 2025.#breanna_stewart #sandy_brondello #phoenix_mercury #chris_demarco #new_york_liberty
