EUGEN, Oregon – Sabrina Ionescu of the Liberty is set to host a show on Monday night, marking her much-anticipated return to the court at Matthew Knight Arena.
“It’s super exciting to be playing in front of a packed crowd here. The energy is always so great. [Sabally] Because we’re back, it feels even better,” Ionescu shared on Sunday. “Also, this is my last mat night, so I want to soak up every moment.”
While it’s fun for Ionescu and Sabally to revisit their old grounds, the weekend has a serious side to it.
Monday’s preseason finale against the Japanese Basketball League’s Toyota Antelope will be the Liberty’s last chance to make adjustments to the lineup before opening the season against the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday.
A preseason game acts like a trial. Players get to develop chemistry and experiment with various lineups.
The score doesn’t really reflect how the actual season will unfold.
Last season, the Chicago Sky only managed 48 points during the preseason, yet New York clinched its first WNBA title.
So, losses during the preseason, like the one against the Sun on Friday, don’t cause much worry.
“In preseason, we try not to get too high or low,” Ionescu noted. “It’s a new team with fresh faces, and we’re just trying to mesh together.”
Friday didn’t quite capture the full-team dynamic.
Breanna Stewart remained on the bench during the game, while Leonie Fevic was gearing up for the Spanish league final against Valencia.
Coach Sandy Brondello also chose to limit playing time for veterans like Ionescu and Natasha Cloud, who sat out the second half.
Monday will be a chance for the Liberty to address turnovers and defensive errors that have plagued their preseason matches.
There’s also an eye on the emerging chemistry between Cloud and Ionescu.
“We’ll keep growing, and I want to make things easier for her,” Cloud explained. “I want her to be more off-ball, making plays and easy shots. We did well tonight, but there’s room for improvement on our offense, whether she’s handling the ball or not.”
After the Monday game, general manager Jonathan Kolb will face some tough decisions as the weekend approaches.
The Liberty can finalize a roster of 12 players this season after ending Vietnier Rainey Hamilton’s contract.
With 14 players currently on the preseason roster, Monday might be the last chance for Jaylyn Sherrod, Esmery Martinez, Isabel Harrison, and Leana Odom.
Fevic was crowned Spanish league champion on Sunday after helping Valencia secure a 71-63 win over Zaragoza.
It’s expected that she’ll return to Brooklyn soon, possibly in time for the ring ceremony before the season kicks off.
On Monday, Eugene Mayor Kaarin Nadson declared it Sabrina Ionescu Day in the University Town.
Nadson surprised Ionescu with the news after practice on Sunday.
“It’s thrilling to have someone like Sabrina as a role model,” Nadson said. “She’s done a lot through her [SI20 Foundation] to ensure all kids can play and access physical activity. That’s where great careers often start—through opportunity and love for the game.”
