Sabrina Ionescu injury update: Liberty star set for MRI after preseason scare before opener

May 4, 2026 - 08:00

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Sabrina Ionescu injury update: Liberty star set for MRI after preseason scare before opener originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Liberty entered Sunday’s preseason game feeling like a team ready to turn the page toward meaningful basketball. With opening night just days away, the focus was on rhythm, chemistry, and fine-tuning rotations. Instead, the conversation quickly shifted to something far more concerning. Late in the third quarter of New York’s 79–67 preseason win over the Connecticut Sun, star guard Sabrina Ionescu went down after an awkward landing on a drive to the basket. The moment immediately quieted the building and put the Liberty’s early-season momentum on pause.

A concerning moment at the worst possible time

The play itself looked routine until it wasn’t. Ionescu drove toward the rim and appeared to get tangled up midair before coming down hard on her left ankle. She stayed on the floor briefly, clearly in discomfort, before getting to her feet and signaling toward the bench. She was able to walk off under her own power, but with a noticeable limp. For a team with championship expectations, even a short absence from its floor general would be significant.

First-year head coach Chris DeMarco kept the initial update cautious but optimistic, noting that early signs were “positive” while confirming Ionescu would undergo an MRI to determine the severity.

Why this situation means a little more

Any injury this close to the regular season is difficult, but this one carries added context. The ankle in question is the same one Ionescu injured early in her rookie season, an issue that required surgery and cut that year short. That history makes even minor setbacks feel more significant.

Teammates echoed that concern while trying to stay grounded. Jonquel Jones admitted it was tough to watch in real time, while Breanna Stewart shared that Ionescu remained in good spirits after the game, a small but meaningful sign as the team awaits results.

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What it means moving forward

Before exiting, Ionescu logged six points in just under 16 minutes, a limited but typical preseason workload. Last season, she was one of the league’s most reliable stars, averaging 18.2 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.9 rebounds across 38 games. That level of production is not easily replaced.

The Liberty were already managing availability concerns, with multiple players working back into game shape. Losing Ionescu, even temporarily, would test the team’s depth immediately. Opening night is set for Friday, with New York hosting Connecticut again. That timeline leaves little margin for uncertainty, and the MRI results will ultimately dictate whether this was a brief scare or something more disruptive.

For now, the Liberty are left waiting, hoping that a moment that looked troubling doesn’t carry lasting consequences.