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
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
