In a dramatic twist straight out of a Hollywood script, Sabrina Ionescu helped the New York Liberty clinch their first-ever WNBA title in what might be the most “imperfect” performance of her career. Shooting a mind-boggling 1 for 19 in Game 5, Ionescu’s struggle from the field was almost enough to send fans into an existential crisis. But little did we know, the basketball star was actually battling a high-grade UCL tear in her shooting hand—because why would a mere playoff game stand in the way of glory?
As Game 5 headed into overtime, every Liberty fan clung to the edge of their seat, watching a clearly off-balance Ionescu try to will her way through her shots, even if her hands didn’t seem particularly interested in cooperating. With a brace on her hand, she looked less like the sharpshooter fans adore and more like a cross between a determined warrior and someone who misplaced their shooting touch. But, as it turns out, the brace wasn’t just for show. According to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, Ionescu’s injury wasn’t some run-of-the-mill sprain; it was a UCL tear—the kind that could take months to heal, or nine months if surgery’s in play.
With whispers of the injury swirling, fans speculated that perhaps she was just in a slump—or maybe struggling from an offseason filled with too many TikTok dances. But no, this was the stuff of actual legends. Not only did Ionescu play through the pain, but she ultimately contributed to what might be one of the WNBA’s grittiest finals wins. Sure, she wasn’t sinking shots like she usually does, but sometimes heart beats stats, right?
In post-game interviews, Ionescu channeled her inner zen master, reflecting on how the title means “everything” and “you can’t put it into words,” which for anyone watching was fairly accurate, given the collective speechlessness in the crowd. “It’s just understanding that everything has been part of your journey,” she mused, adding how a championship requires “a lot of people, a lot of hard work, and sacrifice.” And indeed, if the scarred-up hand was any indication, she sacrificed more than a few easy buckets.
Despite the injury, Ionescu doesn’t plan to head into surgery, meaning Liberty fans can breathe a small sigh of relief. Instead, she’ll spend the offseason rehabbing, hopefully at a slightly less nail-biting pace than this last game. Still, with a good rest and rehab, the Liberty’s new queen could be back on top of her game when the 2025 season tips off.
For a player who saw her college dreams dashed by a global pandemic, this win wasn’t just a championship; it was a personal redemption arc. Not since her gold-medal wins with Team USA has she felt the rush of holding a title, and now, finally, she can close the chapter on what might be her most well-earned victory.
So, as Liberty fans recover from their collective heart attack and Minnesota Lynx fans wonder what went wrong, one thing is clear: Sabrina Ionescu may have had a rough shooting night, but she was an absolute star when it mattered most. If this championship doesn’t earn her a superhero nickname—“Sabrina the One-Handed Wonder” has a nice ring to it—what will?
