Sabrina Ionescu missed her sixth game this season Monday.
The Liberty ruled out Ionescu about an hour before tipoff against the Portland Fire, the second night of a back-to-back, as she works her way back from a left foot injury that sidelined her for the first two weeks of the season.
Ionescu made her season debut in Sunday’s loss against the Dallas Wings, finishing with 11 points, five rebounds and seven assists in 31 minutes. She missed her last seven field goal attempts, scoring her final points in the second quarter.
After the game, Ionescu said she felt good but didn’t elaborate.
The Liberty were also without Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (personal reason) and Leonie Fiebich (rest).
Monday marked the third consecutive game Laney-Hamilton missed for undisclosed personal reasons. Coach Chris DeMarco said Laney-Hamilton is considered “day to day” and is “getting closer with it.”
Meanwhile, Fiebich’s season debut will be delayed at least one more game.
Fiebich joined the Liberty this weekend after helping Valencia to a Spanish League title earlier this month.
DeMarco didn’t have a clear timeline for Fiebich but acknowledged the team isn’t trying to rush her back.
“It’s one of those things that’s hard to predict, like those long flights and getting accustomed to being in New York now,” DeMarco said. “So hopefully next game, but I don’t want to put that on her either. We just have to see how she feels.”
Satou Sabally made her third consecutive start Monday but headed to the locker room in the first half due to illness.
She didn’t return to the bench and was ruled out after halftime.
Sabally’s Liberty debut was delayed until last week after she missed the preseason for reconditioning purposes and was ruled out on the eve of the season opener with a cyst.
After missing the first four games, Sabally joined the team in Thursday’s loss to the Golden State Valkyries.
She looked rusty in her debut before rebounding Sunday, recording a team-high 20 points.
“It’s all about just continuing to gain confidence — like that was a pretty horrific injury,” DeMarco said. “I think she took a step last game, like, become more comfortable out there, so it’s important. And she’s been awesome and she loves to play this game and she’s a big piece for us and feels good to see her back out there, [doing] what she loves to do.”
The Liberty activated forward Anneli Maley for the second consecutive game.
Maley signed a developmental contract with New York on Friday. Under the terms of the deal, she can suit up for only 12 games.
The Liberty’s second developmental player, Marine Fauthoux, remains out as she rehabs from a left knee injury.
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