Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu off the mark as shooting slump drags on…
Sabrina Ionescu had a tough go in the Liberty’s 79-60 loss to the Valkyries at Barclays Center.
Ionescu shot 2-for-12 from the discipline, including 1-for-9 from deep, to complete with seven factors.
She was removed from the only Liberty participant who struggled against the high-pressure Valkyries.
Leonie Fiebich went 1-for-6 from behind the arc, and Rebecca Allen was 1-for-4.
The team collectively shot a season-low 30.2 p.c from the discipline and went 7-for-31 from 3-point vary.
But this isn’t just a foul evening for Ionescu. She has had a hard three-plus weeks as she has been caught in a slump.
Over the Liberty’s past seven games, Ionescu’s tried a team-high 50 pictures from behind the arc, despite lacking one game because of a foot injury.
Yet, she’s fourth in made 3s as she’s drained only eight of those makes an attempt.
Ionescu wasn’t requested particularly about her slump after the Liberty’s loss. Though Allen said she felt disenchanted by Thursday’s displaying, Ionescu said she wasn’t “personally disappointed.”
“I think we got really good looks,” she said. “We just didn’t make them.”
Sabrina Ionescu shoots a jumper during the Liberty’s 79-60 loss to the Valkyries on Aug. 27, 2026 at Barclays Center. John Jones-Imagn Images
Ionescu has dealt along with her truthful share of accidents this season. Most just lately, she missed the Liberty’s Aug. 15 game in Connecticut with a left foot injury.
It’s unclear whether or not a nagging injury may very well be impacting Ionescu.
Nevertheless, she looks like she might use a break.
Sabrina Ionescu reacts after Rebecca Allen’s made basket during the Liberty’s loss to the Valkyries. Michelle Farsi / New York Post
After Saturday against Natasha Cloud and the Chicago Sky, the Liberty briefly breaks up for the FIBA World Cup. The WNBA season resumes Sept. 17.
Ionescu, who was left off the U.S. roster, plans to make use of that time to coach and “continue to get really healthy, take care of my body, feel good.”
“Hopefully, can have really fresh legs, can feel really good and in rhythm come the last four games of the regular season,” she said. “And then start the playoffs feeling good.”
The eight playoff groups already have been determined. The next query is what the bracket will appear to be as groups are still preventing for seeding.
With Thursday’s loss, the Liberty dropped to eighth, which might put them in line to face the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the best-of-three first-round collection.
Ionescu said she isn’t watching the standings because it’s out of their management. But the clear slate that comes with the playoffs appears to be one thing she’s wanting ahead to.
“We’ve never talked about it as a team, where we fall,” she said. “We understand we got to be peaking at the right time and playing our style of basketball and feeling really good, and I think knowing you can kind of have a fresh start when the playoffs come and put everything behind you in the regular season.”
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