Sabrina Ionescu ruled out for Liberty-Fever matchup as she misses fourth consecutive game

Liberty coach Chris DeMarco is eagerly waiting for the day when he has his full roster available. 

“But yeah, we’re not there yet,” DeMarco said after shootaround Saturday.

Sabrina Ionescu was downgraded to out for the Liberty’s game against the Fever after she was absent from the open portion of shootaround.

This will be Ionescu’s fourth consecutive game she’ll miss because of a sore back.

She seemed to have been trending in the right direction this week as she was a full participant in Friday’s practice and deemed “questionable” to play.

But the soreness persisted Saturday, DeMarco said.

“She’s progressing,” he said. “… She wants to be out there and she’s trying her best and she’s getting better and hopefully we’ll have her on this road trip.”

The Liberty haven’t shared any specific details of Ionescu’s back issue, with DeMarco reiterating that “it’s sore.” 

Ionescu has played in only one game this season after missing the first two weeks with a left foot injury. She said the back soreness flared up after her season debut on March 24 against the Wings. 

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) passes the ball around the Dallas Wings’ Azzi Fudd (35) and Alysha Clark (32) during the first half at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Sunday, May 24, 2026. Heather Khalifa for NY Post

“It was pretty evident that I needed to kind of get the treatment that I needed and take some time to make sure it feels good,” Ionescu said after Friday’s practice.

Ionescu also said her back issue was “getting better,” but she was taking “every day in stride.” She was hopeful to play Saturday, but had to be patient and see how her body responded to practice.

“It is what it is,” Ionescu said. “I haven’t really tried to think so much into it so early. Obviously you want to be out there and competing, but it’s kind of part of sports.”

DeMarco was excited Friday about having all 14 players — the 12 under standard contracts and two developmental players — participating in practice as the team has dealt with a rash of injuries and absences. 

“Yeah, probably used to it — seeing day of the game what it looks like,” he said. “We have a lot of capable players, but yeah, I know she wants to be out there, she’s trying her best, and we’ll get her back soon.”