Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally’s season debuts remain uncertain.

Liberty Players Ionescu and Sabally Return, Game Status Unclear

This week, Sabrina Ionescu and Sato Sabally were back on the court for consecutive practices. However, it’s still uncertain whether fans will see them in action for their season debut on Thursday night at Barclays Center.

Head coach Chris DeMarco indicated after Wednesday’s practice that a decision regarding Ionescu and Sabally’s participation would be made during the game, as they gear up for Game 1 of a seven-game homestand against the Golden State Valkyries.

Ionescu has been out since injuring her left foot in the last preseason game, while Sabally is dealing with some discomfort from a cyst.

Both players will carry a questionable status following a full practice on Wednesday and a scrimmage with starters Brianna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Marin Johannes, and Pauline Astier.

“We’ll see how they feel tomorrow,” DeMarco noted.

As Ionescu and Sabally work their way back, Liberty faces some tough choices regarding their deep roster. Johannes and Astier might be moved to the bench, especially since both French players have been eager to stay in the starting lineup. Their contributions are a significant reason why Liberty has started 3-1, even while being a bit short-staffed.

On Tuesday, Liberty waived forward Aubrey Griffin to create some room on the roster. Griffin and guard Julie VanLue were signed to hard contracts before the opening game.

Leoni Fievic and Raquel Carrera are also expected to join the team soon after winning the Spanish league title with Valencia Basket, but Liberty has yet to confirm the exact timeline for their arrival.

It seems fans should prepare for a bit of roster shuffle as things evolve.

Additionally, Bethnia Laney Hamilton missed Wednesday’s practice for personal reasons, having also taken a break on Monday.

Although DeMarco will be facing his hometown team on Thursday, he doesn’t expect it to carry significant weight for him personally. He had been an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors up until 2026. However, he mentioned that a future trip to the Bay Area will be a different story.

“Maybe I’ll go to San Francisco, but it’ll feel strange being in Chase Center,” he admitted. “We’re in New York, and it’s our first time playing against them.”