Sabrina Ionescu Sits Out The Fever Game, But New York's 6-0 Record Without Her Is All Anyone Is Talking About

Yo, Seattle! You ready for some real talk from a fan who lives and breathes this stuff? The New York Liberty are about to clash with the Indiana Fever in a *massive* rematch. You remember last season, right? The Fever totally owned the Commissioner's Cup final, smashing an undefeated Liberty squad and snagging the title. Now, they're running it back in 2026, and the biggest news is that our girl Sabrina Ionescu is officially sidelined for this one! The Liberty desperately need her out there against the Fever, but here we are.

The Back Saga Continues, But Don't Count Her Out

So, what's up with Sabrina? It's a back issue that has kept the 2020 rookie mostly on the bench this season. She's only played one game, missing the next three. We're all itching to see her back on the court, and it seems like she is too! Fans caught her courtside, cracking jokes and getting super animated, which totally hinted that a recovery might be on the horizon. Reports even said she practiced with the team. But the franchise is playing it smart, not rushing their four-time All-Star, and confirmed she's ruled out for Saturday's game against the Fever. You gotta respect that long-term vision, even if it stings for this crucial game. When she talked to the media, Sabrina kept it real. She said, "See how I feel, taking every day in stride and see how it responds to what I do. It is what it is. I haven’t really tried to think too much into it. It’s still early. Want to be out there competing. It’s part of sports. Deal with it as it comes.” Classic athlete mentality, right? Coach Chris DeMarco is on the same page, adding that she's "showing progress" and is "day-to-day." He even hinted, "She wants to be out there, and she’s trying her best and she’s getting better. Hopefully we’ll have her on a road trip.” We're all crossing our fingers for that!

Unbelievable: The Liberty Are Winning Without Their Star

Here's the kicker, the stat that's making everyone do a double-take: the New York team has won all six games without their megastar guard. Get this, they lost the *only* game she played, against the Dallas Wings. Seriously, you can't make this stuff up! It's a wild ride, and while her offensive ability and shooting prowess are obviously missed, her teammates are absolutely stepping up. Marine Johannes has been a beast, even setting a record in Sabrina's absence. And Pauline Astier has taken over the starter role like a pro, averaging a solid 11.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. Talk about making the most of an opportunity! Coach DeMarco, who had a rough start, is slowly getting things back to a commanding position, especially with a few other star players returning. It seems like the team found some serious chemistry, even without Ionescu's full-time presence, though her preseason chemistry with the coach was evident. So, while Sabrina Ionescu remains day-to-day, the Liberty are showing some serious grit. This Fever rematch is going to be a huge test. Can they keep their amazing run going without their biggest name? It's early in the season, but every game counts, and these early trends could define their entire year. You know we'll be watching every second!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.