Sabrina Ionescu, the star point guard of the New York Liberty, is set to undergo an MRI on her left ankle Monday after an awkward landing during Sunday's preseason finale against the Connecticut Sun.

The injury occurred with about 7:40 left in the third quarter of the Liberty's 79-67 win at Mohegan Sun Arena. Ionescu drove hard to the basket for a layup, but her feet appeared to get tangled with Sun guard Diamond Miller as she came down, causing her left ankle to roll unnaturally. Following the game, Ionescu was seen wearing a protective boot on her left leg.

First-year Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco struck a cautiously optimistic tone when asked about the injury. "Things are positive right now," he said after the game. "We're just going to do the test tomorrow, and that's the only update I have."

The injury is particularly concerning given Ionescu's history with the same ankle. As a rookie in 2020, she suffered a similar injury that ultimately required season-ending surgery. This offseason, she also sat out Unrivaled—the innovative 3-on-3 professional league—due to an injury sustained during the 2025 WNBA season.

For Liberty fans, this is an all-too-familiar feeling of holding their breath. Ionescu, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft, has blossomed into one of the league's most dynamic playmakers, known for her deep shooting range, elite court vision, and relentless competitiveness. Any extended absence would be a major blow to a Liberty team with championship aspirations.

As the WNBA regular season approaches, all eyes will be on Monday's MRI results. For now, the Liberty and their fans can only wait and hope for the best. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.