Sabrina Ionescu's WNBA Finals injury explains poor Game 5 shooting performance

Per Philippou, "No surgery is required at the moment." Philippou also noted that Ionescu "will be reevaluated in four weeks and is expected to make a full recovery."

Ionescu's worst playoff shooting performance of her career came in the Game 5 win, as she shot 1-of-19 (5.3 percent) and scored five points.

Despite her difficulty scoring, Ionescu filled the box score with eight assists, seven rebounds, two steals and a block in the decisive WNBA Finals game.

In light of her UCL tear, Ionesco's ability to positively impact Game 5 is remarkable. She should be praised for even being able to play.

The Liberty selected Ionsecu with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2020 WNBA Draft, and the former Oregon Duck has emerged as one of the league's best shooters in the five seasons since.

Her 128 threes in 2023 are the most in a season in WNBA history. Ionescu made 107 threes in 2024, which ranks 10th on the all-time single-season list.

Ionescu is entering the final year of a two-year extension she signed in 2023. As a Liberty cornerstone, re-signing Ionescu should be near the top of the front office's to-do list this offseason.

After gritting through an injury to help give the franchise its first league title, Ionescu deserves it.