Sabrina Ionescu sits out as Liberty star works way back from injury after first start

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.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA.

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.Sign up for Madeline Kenney's Inside the Liberty, a weekly Sports+ newsletter.

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