The Wait is Over
Sabrina Ionescu, a star player for the Liberty, is set to make her season debut this Sunday against the Dallas Wings after missing the first five games.
“I haven’t been out for too long, so I don’t think it’ll be an emotional roller coaster,” Ionescu mentioned after practice on Saturday. “I’m just excited to play again. Watching from the sidelines feels like it’s been ages.”
She twisted her left ankle in the final preseason game, and from that moment, she knew she’d be sidelined for a bit. An MRI the next day confirmed that serious injuries had been avoided.
“I wasn’t worried about it being a major injury since I could put weight on it,” Ionescu explained. “But I did realize I’d be out for a while. Thankfully, I’m back earlier than I had anticipated, and I’m really pumped about it.”
Despite her physical setback, she noted that she “reacted quickly” and doesn’t expect any lingering issues from the injury. There will, however, be a limit on her playing time on Sunday.
“I feel great,” she stated, highlighting how her conditioning was maintained during her rehab with consistent workouts, including a stationary bike and underwater treadmill exercises.
Ionescu’s comeback seemed inevitable, especially after the Liberty waived guard Julie VanLue, who had signed earlier in the season.
With Ionescu back in the starting lineup, rookie standout Pauline Astier is likely to move to the bench. Astier had been averaging 14.8 points, 4 rebounds, and more during Ionescu’s absence.
Liberty is getting closer to full strength, with Sato Sabally making her season debut in a recent game after dealing with a cyst issue. Raquel Carrera and Leoni Fievich are also training and are expected to make their WNBA debuts soon.
Ionescu did gain some experience in Chris DeMarco’s system during preseason, but this will be her first official regular-season game. The team stands at a 3-2 record so far, despite a recent blowout loss.
The Liberty has faced challenges with a diminished roster this season. Ionescu mentioned that playing at home during an extended streak is a great opportunity for improvement.
“Every loss motivates us to focus more on what we need to improve,” she said. “We’re not panicking, though. There’s a lot going on, like integrating new players. It’s early in the season, and while we’re on track, we know there’s still much work ahead.”
