Liberty's Ionescu (ankle) out at least 2 weeks

New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu sprained her left ankle during a preseason game against the Connecticut Sun. Imaging confirmed a mild sprain with no structural damage, but the All-Star guard will miss at least two weeks, leaving her opening-night status in doubt.

Injury Details and Recovery Timeline

Ionescu went down in the third quarter and was immediately removed from the game for evaluation. Team medical staff conducted imaging that revealed a mild ankle sprain with no structural damage. Per the recovery plan released by the club, Ionescu will miss at least two weeks of training and competition, focusing on physical therapy and rehabilitation during that period.

Roster Adjustments

• Games missed: At least two weeks of the preseason schedule
• Chemistry impact: Limited time integrating with new roster pieces
• Opening night: Status remains uncertain for the regular-season opener

Head coach Sandy Brondello indicated the team has sufficient depth to manage the transition, with backup guards set to absorb additional minutes. The priority is ensuring Ionescu returns fully healthy to avoid any risk of re-injury that could compromise the full season.

Season Outlook

Ionescu's scoring and floor-general ability are central to New York's offense. Her absence forces the coaching staff to rework lineup combinations during the preseason evaluation window. The Liberty will use this stretch to experiment with different rotations, with the expectation that Ionescu rejoins a complete roster once cleared to return.