Sabrina Ionescu is one of the most important players on the New York Liberty roster, and keeping her healthy is a top priority for the franchise. The four-time All-Star guard missed the team’s first five regular-season games after rolling her left ankle during a preseason matchup against the Connecticut Sun on May 3, though an MRI revealed no significant structural damage.
Ionescu made her 2026 regular-season debut Sunday against the Dallas Wings, returning from the foot injury under a strict minutes restriction. She confirmed before tipoff that she was fully ready to play, but the Liberty are clearly managing her workload carefully in the early stretch of the season.
That caution carries into Monday’s home game. Per Underdog WNBA, Ionescu has been listed as questionable with injury management ahead of New York’s contest against the Portland Fire at Barclays Center. The game tips off Monday on FOX5.
Ionescu averaged 18.2 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game in each of the past two seasons, making her the engine behind New York’s offense. Even a partial absence puts a significant dent in the Liberty’s offensive ceiling.
Despite being without Ionescu and fellow star Satou Sabally to open the season, New York has navigated the early stretch well. The Liberty sit at 3-2 through six games, showing real depth under first-year head coach Chris DeMarco.
The Liberty vs. Portland Fire tips off Monday, May 25, at Barclays Center. Whether Ionescu suits up or sits will likely be a game-time call as New York continues to protect its star guard for the long haul of the 2026 season.
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