Sabrina Ionescu Makes Impactful Return to the Court
Sabrina Ionescu knows the value of each moment on the court. Having faced serious injuries before, she’s aware of how quickly things can change. That’s why she emphasizes not taking any time for granted.
When she stepped onto the floor for the first time in three weeks during the first quarter of Sunday’s game, the cheers from the Barclays Center crowd were loud and heartfelt.
“One of my goals was to feel the joy of playing again,” she shared following the Liberty’s convincing 86-64 victory. “I’m not placing any expectations on myself; I just want to get back out there and help the team win.”
Her stats from the game weren’t particularly eye-catching—five points, three rebounds, and three assists over 26 minutes—but that doesn’t quite capture her contribution. Ionescu blended seamlessly into the team’s flow, moving the ball efficiently and making quick decisions.
Sato Sabally noted, “Sabu is an all-around player. Her ability to pass, score, and do everything—you could really see that. She reads the defense well and knows where the ball needs to go. It’s just fantastic to have her back.”
Sunday marked Ionescu’s first game since May 24 and just her second this season.
During her time away, coach Chris DeMarco was pushed to try various lineups and shift player roles, which could prove beneficial moving forward. It’s interesting to see how teammates adapt when needed.
As Ionescu returns, the Liberty are finally at full strength, something they hadn’t experienced all season.
“She fits right in,” Rebecca Gardner remarked. “It’s great to have her back. We’re already on a six-game winning streak without her, so it’ll be exciting to see how we progress with her now.”
The winning streak was extended to seven on Sunday.
Brianna Stewart had a standout performance, setting a career-high with seven blocks.
This display reminded Sabally of just how comfortable he feels having Stewart as a teammate rather than facing her as an opponent. “She combines great length with impeccable timing,” he said, highlighting her defensive prowess.
Sabally was taken aback to hear that Stewart, a seven-time All-Defensive team member, has never won Defensive Player of the Year. “Well, she’s actually filing a lawsuit,” he quipped.
