Overview
- Ionescu rolled her left ankle in the preseason finale against the Sun after her feet appeared to tangle with guard Diamond Miller, then exited and left in a boot.
- Team imaging found no significant structural damage to her foot and ankle, yet the Liberty ruled her out for at least two weeks with a reevaluation planned at that point.
- The absence means she will miss the regular-season opener at Barclays Center and at least the first four games on the schedule.
- At practice she was out of a boot and in good spirits, while coach Chris DeMarco said he has not set a replacement starter at guard.
- New York’s short-term plan leans on depth after a 2025 season full of injuries, with rookie Pauline Astier and veteran Marine Johannes positioned for larger backcourt minutes as Ionescu, who had a Grade 3 sprain and later surgery on the same ankle in 2020, begins rehab.