New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu's potential return for Tuesday's game in her native Bay Area is uncertain. Ionescu, who has missed three of the Liberty's last four games due to injury, participated in an individual workout on Monday afternoon and is showing "progress," according to coach Sandy Brondello.
"She knows her body," Brondello stated. "We don’t know if [she will play] tomorrow or not… We’ll see." Ionescu is currently listed as "day to day" after injuring the big toe on her left foot near the end of Wednesday's practice. This toe injury occurred less than a week after a collision with Sky center Kamilla Cardoso during a loose ball play.
This marks the second instance of Ionescu entering a homecoming game with questionable status. The last time the Liberty played at Chase Center, Ionescu suffered from a stiff neck that limited her head movement.
This season, Ionescu has played in 36 games, averaging 18.8 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.9 rebounds. Nyara Sabally, who has been sidelined since before the All-Star break, is also listed as questionable for Tuesday's game. Sabally has recently begun the ramp-up process.
In other Liberty news, the team used a rare off-day to focus on addressing team issues, particularly on defense. Emma Meesseman and the rest of the Liberty squad are looking to improve their performance after Breanna Stewart publicly stated the team's play was "not good enough."
WNBA Betting Insights: Liberty vs. Valkyries
Tonight's game between the New York Liberty and the Golden State Valkyries presents several interesting betting opportunities. The over/under is set at 155.5 total points. While most Liberty games have higher totals, the Valkyries' strong defense and slower pace have influenced this lower number. However, both teams heavily rely on three-pointers, making the over an attractive option.
The Liberty rank fourth in three-point attempts and second in three-point percentage (35.7%). With Ionescu potentially returning, their offense will receive a significant boost. The Valkyries also excel at shooting threes, leading the league in attempts. Given New York's vulnerability to allowing three-point shots, the over seems promising.
Player Prop Bet: Janelle Salaun to Make 2+ Threes
Consider betting on Janelle Salaun to make at least two three-pointers (+118). With both teams focusing on the three-ball, opportunities for Salaun to contribute from beyond the arc are likely to arise.