Liberty Forward Sato Sabally’s Status Uncertain for Preseason Opener
Sato Sabally, a new forward for the Liberty, is uncertain for Saturday’s preseason opening game against the Fever.
Coach Chris DeMarco shared that, after consulting with the performance staff following Friday’s practice, Sabally’s status is currently labeled “questionable.” The specific reason behind this is described as “rebalancing.”
This week, Sabally mentioned that she has been putting in a lot of effort during practice, though the team is being cautious and “monitoring everything” as they aim for a relaxed return.
DeMarco also conveyed similar thoughts. He stated, “I can’t say she’s not 100 percent. We have to be careful as we approach this. With two preseason games and a long trip to Portland coming up, we have the time to ensure everyone feels good.”
Sabally experienced a concussion in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, which led her to miss the entire 2025 season due to lingering symptoms. She wasn’t cleared to return to basketball activities until March.
While she has recently returned to playing 5-on-5 and has been participating actively in practice, there are still concerns regarding her conditioning.
“She looks good,” DeMarco commented. “Of course, we’re thinking ahead to October. We want to be smart with all our players. We’ll see how things play out tomorrow regarding her participation. Overall, she’s been impressive. She can handle the ball well, set screens, drive effectively, and is a solid teammate and defender.”
On Saturday, fans will finally get to see the revamped Liberty team. Key players like Sabrina Ionescu, Brianna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones will be back, though they will be joined by several new players, such as Rebecca Allen and Marin Fortwo, who are still adjusting and will miss some games.
DeMarco mentioned that integrating new offense and defense strategies is an ongoing process. He acknowledged the need to temper expectations for Saturday, saying, “We’re going to make a lot of mistakes. It’s only our fourth or fifth day, and the new players are still finding their rhythm. It’ll be challenging for Indiana too. I just want us to play hard and do the right things, and we’ll deal with any setbacks.”
On a different note, the Liberty unveiled their new “Court Origins” edition uniforms on Friday, which pay homage to the original styles from 1997.
The retro jersey, in celebration of the league’s 30th season, has been well-received by both players and fans. Bethniya Rainey Hamilton expressed her excitement: “They’re amazing. I love going back to that color for certain games. Did you see the court after that? You’re in for a treat.”
The retro coats will be revealed later, while the nostalgic uniforms are set to debut during the season opener on May 8th at Barclays Center, with plans to wear them in select games throughout the year.
