Libertys Jonquel Jones, Leonie Fiebich have eyes on return against Fever

The Liberty could be as close to full strength Saturday as they’ve been in more than a month.Barring any unforeseen setbacks, Jonquel Jones and Leonie Fiebich plan to play Saturday against the Indiana Fever, the two said after Friday’s practice.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA.

Jones’ status was uncertain after her tweaked left ankle caused her to miss the final three quarters of Tuesday’s loss in Chicago. But Jones said she’s feeling “good” and expects to be ready for the Liberty’s marquee matchup.“I’m taped up, and of course a little bit of aggravation,” Jones said, “but nothing that’s crazy or that’s making me feel like I can’t go.”Meanwhile, Saturday could be Fiebich’s first game since July 3 as she’s been dealing with a nagging left foot injury. Fiebich’s workload has ramped up in recent days and she even joined the team on its one-stop road trip to Chicago earlier this week.Fiebich, the team’s best point-of-attack defender, said she’s “very excited” to return to the Liberty lineup.“Obviously, it’s been a while,” Fiebich said.“So yeah, I’m just ready.

I wanted to play some games ago, but medical staff kept me a little bit.So I’m just very excited to get out there.”Though the players were adamant they were going to play, coach Chris DeMarco pumped the brakes, saying he had to double-check with the team’s performance and medical staff about their readiness.The Liberty have been at full strength for only two games this season. Even if Jones and Fiebich return, New York will still be without Satou Sabally, who stepped away from the team earlier this month as she continues to deal with the aftereffects of suffering her second concussion in eight months. Fiebich confirmed to German media this week that she “will definitely play” at next month’s FIBA World Cup, which is being held in Be...