In a storyline as dramatic as the Finals themselves, New York Liberty’s dazzling sharpshooter Sabrina Ionescu finds herself on the injury list with a sprained thumb. During Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, Ionescu managed to tear a high-grade UCL on her shooting hand, a revelation that sent shockwaves through Liberty fans faster than her iconic Game 3 three-pointer. No surgery yet, thankfully – just rest, a splint, and some much-needed recovery.
Yes, this is the same Sabrina Ionescu who made headlines for burying a legendary 28-foot buzzer-beater in Game 3, almost shattering the rim in a moment that fans will likely be rewatching on highlight reels forever. Yet by Game 5, it was clear that her hand injury was more than just a casual wrap job. With her characteristic shooting magic AWOL, she finished 1-for-19 from the field, hitting just one of her ten attempts from downtown. Even her teammates were left wondering, “Is Sabrina human?”
New York somehow clinched the WNBA title, winning Game 5 by a slim 67-62 in an overtime nail-biter. And while the shooting stats might not have favored her, Ionescu still found a way to contribute in other ways – racking up seven rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and a block. A rough night on offense? Sure. But you can’t keep Ionescu from leaving her mark.
Of course, for anyone unfamiliar, the UCL injury (ulnar collateral ligament, for all you medical mavens out there) is right at the base of the thumb – the kind of thing that makes holding a pen a chore, let alone launching three-pointers. Sabrina is expected to make a full recovery, but she’ll be sidelined for at least four weeks as her hand gets the VIP treatment.
The Liberty’s rising star has had quite the season, earning a spot on the All-WNBA second team, adding an Olympic gold medal to her collection, and now securing her first WNBA championship. But let’s face it – even superheroes need a break every now and then. For now, we’ll just have to wait, watch, and trust the process as she gears up for a comeback sure to dazzle.