Sabrina Ionescu finally set to return to Liberty lineup after long injury layoff

Sabrina Ionescu is officially back. The Liberty hope this time, it’s for good.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA.

Their star guard said Saturday that she was cleared to play in Sunday’s game against the Washington Mystics. It’ll be Ionescu’s second game of the season and first since May 24.She’s been out the past three weeks with back soreness. Ionescu returned to practice June 5, but was subsequently ruled out for New York’s win against the Indiana Fever the following day.

She didn’t make the two-game road trip with the team and instead stayed in Brooklyn to play 5-on-5 with the practice squad. “Everything’s gone according to plan,” Ionescu said.“It’s nice to be back with the team,” she added, “and going through our stuff and playing together as a full team.”The Liberty (9-4) have managed to do more than just survive without its trusty point guard on the mend. New York is on a six-game winning streak and remains undefeated in Commissioner’s Cup play.A win tomorrow would clinch the Liberty’s spot in the Cup championship game later this month. The Liberty’s defense has made major strides over this win streak and is currently ranked as the third-best unit in the league.

New York has also emerged as one of the best rebounding teams, trailing only the Las Vegas Aces in rebounding percentage. Offensively, New York is ranked top-five in the league — and that’s without Ionescu, whose gravity, shooting, playmaking and screen-setting abilities will bring an entirely new dimension to the team’s offense.Sign up for Madeline Kenney's Inside the Liberty, a weekly Sports+ newsletter.

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