Liberty seek to halt home skid as Sabally targets return against Phoenix
Satou Sabally is hopeful for a Wednesday night return against the Mercury, while Betnijah-Laney Hamilton and Leonie Fiebich are confirmed fit. Sabrina Ionescu remains sidelined with a back injury.
New York Liberty forward Satou Sabally has indicated she is hopeful to return to the court for Wednesday night’s WNBA fixture against her former franchise, the Phoenix Mercury. The forward missed Monday’s defeat to the Portland Thorns after feeling ill in the first quarter, exiting after just four minutes of play. Speaking following Wednesday’s shootaround, Sabally expressed her desire to participate in the match at home.
The upcoming game marks a significant reunion for Sabally, who joined the Liberty as a free agent after a single season with Phoenix. During her time with the Mercury, she helped the team reach the WNBA Finals, including a first-round playoff victory over New York. Sabally described her departure from Phoenix as a mutual decision driven by a desire to find an environment that better supported her professional growth and personal well-being.
Phoenix forward DeWanna Bonner acknowledged Sabally’s impact on the previous squad, stating that the team missed her contributions. Sabally’s transition to New York has been marked by a series of physical setbacks, including lingering effects from a concussion sustained in Game 3 of the previous year’s WNBA Finals and a cyst that kept her out of the season’s opening games. She made her season debut against the Golden State Valkyries last Thursday and recorded a 20-point performance against Dallas on Saturday.
Head coach Chris DeMarco confirmed that guards Betnijah-Laney Hamilton and Leonie Fiebich are cleared to play against Phoenix. Hamilton had been absent for personal reasons, while Fiebich was recovering from participation in the Spanish League championship. However, guard Sabrina Ionescu remains sidelined with a back injury, marking her second consecutive game out after making her season debut against Dallas on Tuesday.
The Liberty currently sit at a 3-4 record and are enduring a three-game home losing streak, their longest such skid since 2022. The team will look to stabilise their home performance as they face the Mercury, with the availability of key players like Sabally and Hamilton potentially influencing the outcome of the contest.
