Both Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally have been back on the court in consecutive practices this week. However, it’s still unknown whether Liberty fans will welcome them to what would be a season debut at Barclays Center on Thursday night.
Ionescu and Sabally will be game-time decisions ahead of the first game of a seven-game homestand against the Golden State Valkyries, head coach Chris DeMarco said after practice Wednesday.
Ionescu has been sidelined since sustaining a left foot injury during the final preseason game while Sabally has been dealing with discomfort from a cyst.
They will be listed as questionable after a full practice Wednesday — which included scrimmaging with fellow starters Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Marine Johannès and Pauline Astier.
“We will see how they feel tomorrow,” DeMarco said.
With Ionescu and Sabally on the mend, the Liberty face tough decisions regarding their deep roster. Johannès and Astier could be bumped to the bench after both France natives made strong cases to remain in the starting lineup and are a huge reason the Liberty are off to a 3-1 start while short-handed.
On Tuesday, the Liberty waived forward Aubrey Griffin to make some wiggle room within the roster. They signed Griffin and guard Julie Vanloo to hardship contracts before the season opener.
Leonie Fiebich and Raquel Carrera also are expected to join the team in the coming days after winning the Spanish League championship with Valencia Basket, though the Liberty did not commit to a definitive timeline.
Fans can expect some musical chairs played within the roster as it grows to full strength.
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton missed practice Wednesday due to a personal matter. The former All-Star also had a rest day Monday.
DeMarco will face a team from his former city Thursday — he was a Golden State Warriors assistant from 2012-26 — but this matchup holds no great significance for him yet. Once the Liberty travel to the Bay Area, however, that will be a different story.
“Maybe going to San Francisco, it’s going to feel weird being at Chase [Center] in that area,” he said. “Right now, no. We’re in New York, and it’s our first time playing them.”
The Liberty won’t play the Valkyries on the road until June 28, the final game of a four-game West Coast trip.