Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu makes important decision amid 4-game absence originally appeared on The Sporting News
The New York Liberty is finally close to being whole again.
After a 9-0 start to its WNBA championship defense in 2025, the Liberty has struggled for consistency as multiple key players have been in and out of the lineup. Leonie Fiebich went to Eurobasket with Germany; Jonquel Jones, Nyara Sabally and Breanna Stewart suffered weeks-long injuries; most recently, guards Natasha Cloud and Sabrina Ionescu have been absent with nose and toe injuries, respectively.
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The lineup shuffling has seen New York muster a 16-17 record since mid-June and slip to the #5 seed as the playoffs loom.
MORE: Liberty set unfortunate team record despite Breanna Stewart’s return
But the Liberty received great news Monday, as Ionescu confirmed she would make her return against the Washington Mystics on Wednesday, ending a four-game absence.
In 36 games this season, Ionescu is averaging a career-best 18.8 points per game. In July, she was selected to her fourth successive All-Star Game, and she won the 3-Point Contest for the second time in three years.
As Ionescu and Sabally both have returned to practice, the Liberty is poised to be at full strength when the playoffs start on Sept. 14. Even if the Liberty (25-17) can’t swing home-court advantage entering the postseason, New York will be a dangerous team that has the chance to peak at the right time in its pursuit of a second consecutive WNBA title.
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