Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Sabrina Ionescu's Status Receives Major Update on Wednesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Beren | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 4:36 PM ET

The New York Liberty is in a state of flux.

The defending WNBA champions have had important players come in and out of the lineup in recent games, as they attempt to keep up with the league-best Minnesota Lynx for the top record in The W.

The Liberty still have a strong 10-3 record, the best in the Eastern Conference. But New York enters Wednesday night's game against the Golden State Valkyries amidst a rare two-game losing skid

Center Jonquel Jones is out multiple weeks with an ankle injury, while forward Leonie Fiebich has been playing for Germany at EuroBasket. In addition, star guard Sabrina Ionescu missed Sunday's 89-79 loss to the Seattle Storm due to a neck injury.

However, the good news for head coach Sandy Brondello is that Ionescu told reporters on Wednesday afternoon that she will play against the Valkyries, an occasion that marks the Liberty's first visit to Chase Center.

Sabrina Ionescu says she’s going to play tonight at Chase Center.
— Madeline Kenney (@madkenney) June 25, 2025

Despite three defeats in the past four games, the Liberty still rank No. 1 in the WNBA in offensive rating (108.3) and net rating (plus-13.9), and No.2 in defensive rating (94.4).

Ionescu and Breanna Stewart are the only pair of teammates in the WNBA both averaging 20 points per game or better; both sit in the top five in league scoring, one-third of the way through the regular season.

Ionescu ranks fifth in the league in 3-pointers attempted and fourth in 3-pointers made. Now in her sixth season, Ionescu is on course for a career-best scoring average and field goal percentage, figures she will look to augment in San Francisco on Wednesday night.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: