The Liberty got off to a hot start this offseason by signing a coach with NBA championship experience, and momentum has only grown as the roster has been built up with more star power.
However, some preseason hype deflated when Sabrina Ionescu suffered a left foot injury in the Liberty’s 79-67 preseason finale win against Connecticut and is set to be out for two weeks.
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“It’s unfortunate, it really is,” Jonquel Jones said after Wednesday’s practice.
“Obviously one of our better players is gonna be missing. It’s tough,” coach Chris DeMarco added.
Ionescu was walking around at practice without a boot on her left foot, and Breanna Stewart added that she is in good spirits.
“This is like best-case scenario for her, for anybody that has to go through something like that,” she said. “She wants to be around because every day we are adding new stuff. Really making sure once she is able to jump back into things, she is really able to make a smooth transition into that.
“She enjoys us so she’s around because she doesn’t want to have FOMO,” Stewart said, using the acronym for fear of missing out.
Without the four-time All-Star leading the offense, there is a big hole for the Liberty to fill only a few days ahead of Friday’s season opener against Connecticut at Barclays Center.
However, if the Liberty learned anything last year, it’s how to play without their stars healthy and available.
“It’s next woman up now,” Jones added. “We know we go out there with a lot of pieces and we have enough to win.”
DeMarco said he is unsure who will start in Ionescu’s place, but all eyes are on Pauline Astier.
The French rookie has made quite the impression in just a short amount of time during training camp. She has been applauded for her adaptability and quick turnaround on learning the new offensive system.
In her preseason debut, she scored 12 points and tallied four assists, a rebound and steal in 22 minutes. She was also a plus-16 on the court.
As her open opportunity comes more into view, Astier isn’t putting any extra pressure on herself.
“I’m just trying to keep it simple to try to play my basketball,” she said. “I know I have good people around me too, helping me a lot to play my basketball. I’m just happy to be here. … I’m not thinking a lot about this.”
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The 5-foot-10 Johannes helped facilitate the offense in her preseason debut after Ionescu went down. She had 12 points and four assists along with five steals and four rebounds.
“She’s adjusted well,” DeMarco added of Astier. “She’s a really smart player. … She’ll play. She’s really talented and she makes her teammates better.”
Fan favorite Marine Johannes may also be asked to give more for the Liberty along with development player Marine Fauthoux, who is bouncing back from a knee sprain that she suffered nearly a year ago.
“She’s someone that can see the play before it happens. She is someone that can shoot some amazing shots, obviously,” Jones said of her teammate. “In our offense, in our system we want her to know that she has the freedom to just be herself, play openly, and I think we get the best Marine when that happens.”
Astier and Johannes received minutes with Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Stewart and Jones during Wednesday’s practice in what was a tested starting lineup. They also played together during the preseason game and looked to be in sync with one another.
It may pay off for the Liberty to lean into that backcourt chemistry with Ionescu sidelined.
“I feel like it helps us, knowing each other on court. …” Johannes said. “We are happy about that. Having some time together on court is something huge for us.”
