The Boot is Back: Sabrina’s Left Foot Hits the Pause Button
The Boot is Back: Sabrina’s Left Foot Hits the Pause Button
If the New York Liberty’s medical staff hasn't earned "Employee of the Month" honors yet, they’re certainly putting in the overtime. In a bit of preseason news that has Brooklyn holding its collective breath, Sabrina Ionescu is officially sidelined for at least the next two weeks.
The diagnosis? A left foot injury was sustained during Sunday’s preseason win over the Connecticut Sun. An MRI on Monday brought the silver lining: nothing "significant" was found. Still, "not significant" is cold comfort when the face of the franchise is sporting a walking boot while the rest of the league is tipping off.
The Three-Minute Mishap
The play itself was one of those "breath-holding" moments that WNBA fans know all too well. Less than three minutes into the third quarter, Sabrina came off a screen from Jonquel Jones, drove into the paint, and went up for a signature reverse layup.
She landed, the ankle rolled, and the Barclays Center vibe shifted from "Superteam Hype" to "Oh no, not again." Ionescu, ever the gamer, signaled for a sub immediately and walked off under her own power, but the boot she wore leaving the arena told the real story.
Deja Vu for the Liberty?
Liberty fans are currently experiencing some serious 2025 PTSD. Last season, the "reloaded" roster felt like a revolving door at an urgent care clinic. The core lineup of Ionescu, Cloud, Fiebich, Stewart, and Jones managed to start only 12 games together.
Breanna Stewart & Jonquel Jones: Missed 13 games each last year.
Ionescu: Missed 6 games last year with neck and toe issues.
2020 Flashback: Let’s not forget Sabrina’s rookie year was cut short by a Grade 3 sprain on this same left ankle.
Coach Chris DeMarco is playing it cool, calling the outlook "positive," but the reality is the Liberty will have to open their season on Friday against the Sun—and then hit a three-game road trip—without their floor general.
The Road Ahead (Without #20)
Sabrina is slated to miss at least four games, including the highly anticipated matchups against the Washington Mystics and the Portland Fire. She’ll be reevaluated the week of May 18.
The Verdict: The Liberty roster is deeper than a Brooklyn subway line, but you can’t simply "replace" Sabrina Ionescu’s gravity on the court. Expect Natasha Cloud to shoulder a massive load in the backcourt while the Liberty try to survive the start of the season without their primary engine.
Rest up, Sabs. The triple-doubles can wait two weeks, but the city’s heart rate probably can't.
