What's happened
The New York Liberty are starting their 2026 season with Sabrina Ionescu sidelined by a left foot injury, joined by Rebecca Allen’s left leg issue and Satou Sabally’s cyst. Coach Chris DeMarco is evaluating lineup options as key players prep for a Marching forward schedule, with Julia Vanloo and Aubrey Griffin added on hardship contracts.
What's behind the headline?
Outlook for opening game
- Ionescu’s absence has forced the Liberty to explore starting options, with French rookie Pauline Astier showing promise after a 12-point preseason debut.
- Veterans Jones and Stewart remain the anchors, while Marine Johannes and Marine Fauthoux provide additional shooting and playmaking.
- The team faces a learning curve with a new coach, Chris DeMarco, implementing an adjusted offense.
What to watch
- How the Liberty manage minutes without Ionescu and whether Astier or another guard steps into a starter role.
- The impact of injuries on bench depth during a three-game road stretch after the opener.
- The return timeline for Ionescu and potential impacts on the Liberty’s early season strategy.
How we got here
New York Liberty opened training camp amid a flurry of injuries to core players, including Sabrina Ionescu and Rebecca Allen. The team has added depth through hardship signings and is adjusting its rotation as Sabally and Laney-Hamilton navigate conditioning and returns.
Our analysis
Associated Press, New York Post (multiple pieces), with reporting tied to pre-season and opening-night previews. AP notes Ionescu is out for a couple of weeks; Sabally’s status is day-to-day; the Liberty added Vanloo and Griffin on hardship contracts. NY Post discusses Sabally’s and Jones’s comments and Astier’s emergence.
Go deeper
- Will Ionescu return in time for the next game?
- Who starts in Ionescu’s place and how will the rotation look?
- How will the new signings help on opening night?
More on these topics
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Sabrina Ionescu - American basketball player
Sabrina Elaine Ionescu is an American professional women's basketball player for the New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association. She played college basketball for the Oregon Ducks.
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Jonquel Jones - Bahamian professional basketball player
Jonquel Orthea Jones is a Bahamian-Bosnian professional basketball player for the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association. She was drafted with the 6th overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft.
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Satou Sabally - German basketball player
Isatou "Satou" Sabally (born April 25, 1998) is a German-American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for the Phantom of Unrivaled. She started playing as an amateur in the Germa
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New York Liberty - Basketball team
The New York Liberty is an American professional basketball team based in the New York metropolitan area, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association.
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Breanna Stewart - American basketball player
Breanna Mackenzie Stewart is an American professional basketball player for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association.