NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Sabrina Ionescu will miss the New York Liberty’s game against the Indiana Fever on Saturday night because of back soreness.
The star guard practiced with the team on Friday, marking the first time this season that New York had all of its players in training. She felt some soreness in her back after practice, Liberty coach Chris DeMarco said. Ionescu talked after practice on Friday and said it was 鈥済etting better, day-by-day.鈥�
She was hoping to play Saturday, but wasn’t sure if she would be able to.
鈥淪ee how I feel, taking every day in stride and see how it responds to what I do,鈥� Ionescu said. 鈥淚t is what it is. I haven鈥檛 really tried to think too much into it. It鈥檚 still early. Want to be out there competing. It鈥檚 part of sports. Deal with it as it comes.鈥�
The injury has sidelined her for the last few games after an ankle injury in the preseason caused her to miss the first five contests.
鈥淪he wants to be out there and she鈥檚 trying her best and she鈥檚 getting better,鈥� DeMarco said at shootaround Saturday morning. 鈥淗opefully we鈥檒l have her on a road trip.鈥�
Ionescu played in one game this season so far 鈥� May 24 against Dallas, where it first started hurting.
鈥淎fter the game I played in, it was pretty evident that I needed to get the treatment,鈥� she said. 鈥淭ake some time to make sure it feels good.鈥�
New York (6-4) is finishing off a seven-game home stand against Indiana. Rookie guard Pauline Astier has started in Ionescu’s place and done a great job so far. She’s averaging 11.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
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