Satou Sabally Ruled Out Again as Liberty Try to Snap Three-Game Skid

The New York Liberty can’t seem to catch a break. They’re heading into Thursday’s rematch against the Dallas Wings with a three-game losing streak, and once again they’ll be without two key players.

Satou Sabally is still in concussion protocol and won’t travel with the team to College Park Center, according to the New York Post’s Madeline Kenney. Neither will Leonie Fiebich, who’s dealing with left foot soreness. That’s the same Fiebich who’s already missed the last three games, and the team hasn’t said much more about her status beyond getting second opinions before their loss to Minnesota.

Sabally hasn’t played since June 23, when she took a hard hit to the head during a win over the Las Vegas Aces. That’s seven straight games on the sideline for the 28-year-old forward who came to New York hoping to win her first championship.

And it hasn’t been easy for her. In 13 games this season, her first with the Liberty, Sabally is averaging career lows across the board: 10.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in about 17 minutes per game. She came off the bench for the first time in her career after being the go-to scorer in Dallas and Phoenix. The adjustment hasn’t clicked, and now the injuries keep throwing things off.

Liberty need a win, and fast

New York last faced the Wings on July 5 at Barclays Center and lost 88-77. That game featured a 29-point explosion from Breanna Stewart and a double-double from Jonquel Jones (17 points, 12 rebounds), but it wasn’t enough. The Liberty played that one without Sabally too, so Thursday’s matchup is basically a repeat of the same problem.

The Wings will be at home this time, which doesn’t make things easier. New York is desperate to stop the slide before it turns into something bigger. They’ve got the talent obviously with Stewart and Jones, but depth is becoming a real issue.

Fiebich has been solid when healthy, averaging 10.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals across 14 games. Her absence hurts. Sabally’s absence hurts more, especially given the emotional layer of facing the team where she started her career. No word yet on when either player might return.

Chris DeMarco said the team canceled practice this week after getting second opinions on Fiebich. That’s not a great sign. For now, the Liberty will have to figure out a way to beat Dallas shorthanded again. They’ve done it before. But the margin for error keeps shrinking.