WNBA star rookie Sabrina Ionescu seeing specialist about ankle sprain

ESPN confirmed Ionescu's departure from the bubble site of the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, on Wednesday, and added that such ankle sprains often require "months to fully heal."

It's unknown if the 22-year-old guard will return to the bubble for the pandemic-shortened season. As is the case with other leagues, Ionescu would be required to quarantine for a to-be-determined amount of time before she's allowed to rejoin team activities. 

The Liberty lost all four of their opening contests, and New York may elect to sit Ionescu out of precaution because she is viewed as a potential championship cornerstone. New York's final game of the campaign is scheduled for Sept. 12.