Liberty’s Close Loss Despite Ionescu’s Struggles

LOS ANGELES — With just 3:42 left in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game, Sabrina Ionescu checked out. She wouldn’t return to the game.

As the Liberty played on, Ionescu could only observe from the bench, while rookie Pauline Astier was put into the starting lineup instead. The Liberty ended up losing 98-97 in a match many felt was theirs to win.

The spotlight is on Ionescu, who hasn’t seemed quite right since her return last week from a long absence due to back issues.

“I’ve felt pretty good in terms of health and how my body feels over the last few games,” Ionescu remarked. “But yeah, I mean, I feel good and I feel like I’m being myself. So I think no matter what happens outside, as long as we win, we’ll be fine. That might not be the case tonight.”

Notably, Ionescu didn’t attempt a single shot in the first half. She missed a rare, uncontested layup early in the third quarter.

This marked her fewest field goal attempts since June 24, 2021, during her second season.

DeMarco clarified that Ionescu’s time on the bench at the game’s end wasn’t due to injury. Instead, he aims to allow her some time to regain her form.

She remains engaged, trying to adapt to the changes her team has undergone during her absences—first due to a leg injury, then her sore back.

Sunday, she noted that she’s reading the game better and is “not forcing anything.”

“Obviously, we have a very high offensive power,” Ionescu said. “For me, it’s about remaining aggressive without forcing things, finding ways to move the ball. When we’re scoring like we are now, I don’t feel the need to force shots.”

Although some resources went into Ionescu’s recovery efforts, she was key in the Liberty’s victory over the Sky last week.