Sabrina Ionescu Out Against Mercury Due to Back Injury

Sabrina Ionescu has been ruled out for the New York Liberty’s upcoming matchup against the Phoenix Mercury due to a back injury. The star guard was downgraded to out on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, after being listed with back soreness on the team's injury report. This development marks a significant hurdle for the Liberty as they prepare to face the Mercury, with Ionescu unable to contribute on the court for this specific contest.

This absence follows a recent period of injury management for Ionescu. She previously missed Monday's game against the Chicago Fire due to left foot injury management. The team placed her on the injury report ahead of the Mercury game specifically citing back soreness as the primary concern. Reports indicated she was questionable prior to the final designation, but the decision was made to rest her to prevent further aggravation of the condition.

Ionescu’s season has been marred by physical setbacks from the very beginning. She missed the first five games of the season dealing with an injured foot. The timeline of her physical struggles dates back to a preseason win over the Connecticut Sun on May 4, 2026, where she rolled her left ankle and hurt her left foot. Although an MRI on May 5 showed no major injury to her foot and ankle, the team kept her out for at least two weeks as a precautionary measure.

Historical context shows Ionescu has dealt with significant lower-body issues in the past. In July 2020, she suffered a left ankle sprain during a game against the Atlanta Dream. At that time, physicians determined no surgery was needed, and she continued rehab with a positive prognosis. However, the current back soreness presents a new challenge, distinct from her previous ankle and foot ailments, keeping her sidelined for the Wednesday contest.

What is confirmed

Confirmed Sabrina Ionescu plays for the New York Liberty in the WNBA.[10]
Confirmed Sabrina Ionescu is listed as out with a back injury for the New York Liberty’s game against the Phoenix Mercury.[1][5]
Confirmed The injury designation for Sabrina Ionescu for the Mercury game is related to her back and general soreness.[1][5]
Confirmed Sabrina Ionescu was ruled out for the Wednesday game against the Mercury on May 27, 2026.[1]
Confirmed Sabrina Ionescu had previously missed Monday's game against the Fire due to left foot injury management.[1]
Confirmed Sabrina Ionescu was placed on the injury report ahead of the game against the Mercury with back soreness.[1][2]
Confirmed Sabrina Ionescu missed the first five games of the season with an injured foot.[5]
Reported Annie Costabile reported that Sabrina Ionescu was on the injury report ahead of the Liberty’s game against the Phoenix Mercury because of back soreness and was questionable to play in that game.[2]

Timeline

2020-07-31 — Sabrina Ionescu suffered a left ankle sprain in the second quarter of the New York Liberty’s game against the Atlanta Dream.
2020-08-22 — The Liberty announced that physicians determined no surgery was needed for Ionescu’s ankle injury and that she was continuing rehab with a positive prognosis for a full recovery.
2026-05-04 — After rolling her left ankle and hurting her left foot in a preseason win over the Connecticut Sun, Ionescu was set to be reevaluated in two weeks and missed New York’s regular-season opener against Connecticut.
2026-05-05 — An MRI showed no major injury to Ionescu’s foot and ankle, confirming the team’s decision to keep her out for at least two weeks.
2026-05-28 — Ionescu was downgraded to out for the game against the Mercury because of back soreness.

Related people

FAQ

Why is Sabrina Ionescu out against the Phoenix Mercury?

Sabrina Ionescu is out for the game against the Phoenix Mercury due to back soreness. She was placed on the injury report ahead of the matchup with this specific complaint. The New York Liberty downgraded her status to out on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. This designation prevents her from playing in the contest, as the team manages her physical condition carefully to avoid further injury or aggravation of the soreness in her back.

Did Sabrina Ionescu play in the game before the Mercury matchup?

No, Sabrina Ionescu did not play in the game immediately preceding the Mercury matchup. She missed Monday's game against the Chicago Fire due to left foot injury management. This absence was part of a broader period of injury recovery, as she had also missed the first five games of the season with an injured foot. The team managed her workload carefully, leading to her continued absence before the back soreness issue arose.

What is the severity of Sabrina Ionescu's current injury?

The current injury is described as back soreness. Reports indicate that while she was questionable initially, the team decided to rule her out to manage the condition. Brian Windhorst clarified that the situation is not severe. This contrasts with previous injuries, such as the left ankle sprain in 2020 or the foot injury earlier in the 2026 season, which required more extensive recovery periods and protective boots.