Oregon homecoming disrupted for injured Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally

Portland Misses Key Players in Liberty’s Trip

Oregon Ducks icons Sabrina Ionescu and Sato Sabally will not be part of the Liberty’s visit to Portland this season, which is disappointing for fans.

Both players were absent during the Liberty’s narrow 98-96 loss to the Fire on Tuesday night and will also miss the rematch on Thursday.

Ionescu sustained a left foot injury during the Liberty’s final preseason game on May 3. She won’t be evaluated again until early next week. Although she won’t be in uniform, Ionescu still made a trip to Portland.

On the other hand, Sabally has yet to make his debut with the Liberty. He missed two preseason games for rehabilitation and is currently dealing with a cyst. Coach Chris DeMarco mentioned that Sabally is under close observation, yet he was absent for the Portland trip.

Ionescu has long advocated for a WNBA team in Portland and was especially thrilled when the city received an expansion team, set to start in September 2024.

The Fire will be the WNBA’s 15th franchise and joins the Toronto Tempo as a new addition for this upcoming season.

Fans had hoped to see Ionescu return to Oregon, reminiscent of a prodigal child, but the 2020 No. 1 pick recently signed a long-term deal with the Liberty that will keep her in New York through the 2028 season.

Sabally, who spent three seasons alongside Ionescu at Oregon State, is also under contract through next season.

Ionescu had a warm homecoming last year during a preseason game held at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon.

It seems, however, that fans may need to wait another year to see these stars compete in significant WNBA games in Oregon. The scenario might change if the Fire manage to secure a playoff spot in their inaugural season, though that seems unlikely according to BetMGM, which lists Portland with the worst odds of making the postseason.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Allen joined the Liberty’s shootaround on Tuesday morning at the Moda Center, but her season debut is still pending as she deals with soreness in her left leg.