Sabrina Ionescu missed her sixth game of the season on Monday.
The Liberty pulled Ionescu about an hour before tipoff against the Portland Fire, on the second night of a back-to-back, as he works his way back from a left foot injury that sidelined him for the first two weeks of the season.
Ionescu made his season debut in Sunday’s loss against the Dallas Wings, finishing with 11 points, five rebounds and seven assists in 31 minutes. He missed his final seven field goal attempts, scoring his final points in the second quarter.
After the match, Ionescu said he felt good but did not elaborate.
Liberty was also without Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (personal reason) and Leonie Fiebich (rest).
Monday marked the third game in a row Laney-Hamilton has missed due to undisclosed reasons. Coach Chris DeMarco said Laney-Hamilton is taking it “day by day” and “getting closer to it.”
Meanwhile, Fiebich’s first game of the season will be delayed at least one more game.
Fiebich joined the Liberty this weekend after helping Valencia win the Spanish League title earlier this month.
DeMarco didn’t have a clear timeline for Fiebich but admitted the team isn’t trying to rush him.
“It’s one of those things that’s hard to predict, like those long flights and you’re used to being in New York now,” DeMarco said. “I hope for the next game, but I don’t want to put that on him either. We have to see how he feels.”
Satou Sabally started his third game in a row on Monday but headed to the locker room in the first half due to illness.
He did not return to the bench and was removed after the break.
Sabally’s Liberty debut was delayed until last week after he missed the preseason for rehab purposes and was ruled out the night before 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.
He looked rusty in his first game before rebounding on Sunday, recording a team-high 20 points.
“It’s all about continuing to be confident — as that was a really bad injury,” DeMarco said. “I think he took a step in the last game, like, he’s more comfortable out there, so it’s important. And he’s been great and he loves playing this game and he’s a big piece for us and it feels good to see him back there, [doing] what he likes to do.”
The Liberty started forward Anneli Maley for the second straight game.
Maley signed a developmental contract with New York on Friday. According to the terms of the agreement, he can only suit up for 12 games.
Liberty’s sophomore forward, Marine Fauthoux, is out with another left knee injury.
