Sabrina Ionescu out with injury as Liberty are three starters vs. Storm

SEATTLE — The Liberty’s starting lineup took another hit Sunday.

Sabrina Ionescu was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Storm because of neck tightness, coach Sandy Brondello said pregame. 

Ionescu experienced some neck tightness after the team’s cross-country flight Friday.

She broke away toward the end of Saturday’s practice to stretch and massage her neck and back. 

This morning, Ionescu woke up with a kink in her neck that was worse than the day before, according to Brondello.

“She had something similar last year so we want to be really mindful about [the] big picture,” Brondello said, “and hopefully a few days off can get her ready for the next game.”

Ionescu is considered day-to-day.

The Liberty don’t play again until Wednesday at Golden State.

Ionescu is one of three Liberty starters unavailable Sunday.

Leonie Fiebich remains overseas for EuroBasket, and Jonquel Jones is slated to miss at least a month after reinjuring her right ankle last week.

Jones initially suffered a low-grade ankle sprain in the Liberty’s June 5 win at Washington. She missed two games before returning for Tuesday’s home win against the Dream. 

Jones aggravated the sprain when she landed awkwardly going for a basket. 

Brondello chalked up the incident as a “fluky situation” and doesn’t believe the team rushed Jones back before she was ready.

“We always ask the players if they’re good to go. She felt it was good to go,” Brondello said. “It was just unfortunate. She really didn’t have that landing space and that can happen at any time with any other players.”

The Liberty are preparing to be without Jones for approximately four to six weeks.

“You all see how valuable JJ is to us and how we want to play,” Brondello said. “But injuries are a part of the game. It’s unfortunate. JJ is going to work really hard… In the meantime, Nyara [Sabally] and [Isabelle Harrison] and Kennedy Burke really have to step up in her absence. And it’s not about – you can’t replace JJ the skill set and what she brings to us we have to do it by committee.”