The New York Liberty have ripped off six straight wins without their franchise point guard. Now, they’re about to get her back.
Sabrina Ionescu is expected to suit up Sunday against the Washington Mystics, according to Madeline Kenney of The New York Post. The All-Star guard has missed the last seven games with a back injury, an issue that has limited her to just one appearance this season. That lone outing came May 24 against the Dallas Wings, when Ionescu posted 11 points, five rebounds, and seven assists in 31 minutes — though she shot just 4-of-15 from the floor. Immediately after that game, she was sidelined again.
Her season debut was already delayed by an ankle injury in the preseason, so Sunday will mark only her second game of the 2026 campaign. The Liberty (9-4) are sitting atop the Eastern Conference, and the timing of Ionescu’s return isn’t subtle: They face a Mystics team that’s scrappy but vulnerable, and a healthy Ionescu changes the entire calculus for New York’s offense.
Why This Matters for New York’s Ceiling
Since being taken No. 1 overall in the 2020 draft out of Oregon, Ionescu has established herself as one of the WNBA’s elite point guards. She was the engine behind the Liberty’s 2024 championship — the first in franchise history. Last season, she appeared in 38 of 44 games, averaging 18.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 40.1% from the field and a staggering 93.3% from the free-throw line. Her three-point shooting dipped to 29.9%, but her overall playmaking remained elite.
The Liberty have managed without her — the six-game winning streak is proof of depth — but they were never going to be a serious title threat without their floor general. Now that Ionescu is set to return, the team that many tabbed as a preseason contender is finally getting whole. The question is how quickly she can knock off the rust and whether the back issue lingers.
What to Watch Against Washington
Sunday’s matchup offers a soft landing spot: The Mystics have struggled with consistency, and the Liberty’s supporting cast has built real chemistry during Ionescu’s absence. Head coach Sandy Brondello will likely ease her back into the rotation, but don’t be surprised if Ionescu logs significant minutes — especially if the game stays tight. The WNBA schedule doesn’t allow for much patience, and New York needs to keep pace with the league’s top teams.
If Ionescu looks sharp, the Liberty’s path to another deep playoff run suddenly feels wide open. If she’s limited or re-aggravates the injury, they’ll have to grit through another stretch without their star. Either way, Sunday is a critical test for a team that’s been flying under the radar — until now.
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