Ionescu out – Sabrina Ionescu will miss the New York Liberty’s Saturday night game against the Indiana Fever after back soreness flared up following Friday practice. The star guard returned to full team training for the first time this season but felt the issue worsen after
NEW YORK — Sabrina Ionescu will not play Saturday night against the Indiana Fever. The New York Liberty star guard is out because of back soreness that flared up after practice, adding another blow to a season already shaped by early injury disruption.
Ionescu practiced with the team on Friday. the first time this season that New York had all of its players in training. But after practice, she felt soreness in her back. Liberty coach Chris DeMarco said the issue came up following the session. and that it was the first sign of trouble after training together for the first time this year.
Speaking after practice, Ionescu said the pain was improving day by day. She described it as “getting better, day-by-day,” adding that she was still weighing whether she’d be able to go. Her approach was simple: take it one day at a time, not overreact to what she was feeling.
“See how I feel, taking every day in stride and see how it responds to what I do,” Ionescu said. “It is what it is. I haven’t really tried to think too much into it. It’s still early. Want to be out there competing. It’s part of sports. Deal with it as it comes.”
DeMarco later echoed that the plan was built around responsiveness rather than certainty. At shootaround Saturday morning, he said, “She wants to be out there and she’s trying her best and she’s getting better,” and he added, “Hopefully we’ll have her on a road trip.”
The back soreness has already delayed Ionescu’s return. She has missed the last few games after an ankle injury in the pre-season caused her to miss the first five contests of the season. When the back issue first appeared is just as clear: Ionescu played in one game so far this season — May 24 against Dallas — where it began to hurt.
After that May 24 game, Ionescu said it became obvious she needed treatment. “After the game I played in, it was pretty evident that I needed to get the treatment,” she said. “Take some time to make sure it feels good.”
With Ionescu sidelined again, New York (6-4) continues its seven-game home stand by finishing it against Indiana. Rookie guard Pauline Astier has started in Ionescu’s place and has produced consistently so far, averaging 11.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
For the Liberty, the immediate task is straightforward: carry the weight for one more game while waiting to see whether Ionescu’s back soreness continues to ease. For Ionescu, the message has been the same since Friday — compete if she can, and treat each day’s feedback as the deciding factor.
Sabrina Ionescu New York Liberty Indiana Fever Chris DeMarco Pauline Astier WNBA injury update back soreness game preview