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Sabrina Ionescu says 'return will be scary' after Liberty update 'positive prognosis' for ankle

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu will not need surgery for the grade 3 ankle sprain she suffered in the third game of her professional career, the team announced Saturday morning.

Ionescu left the bubble three weeks ago to head back to New York and see a specialist. Per the Liberty she “has received a positive prognosis for a full recovery and is continuing to rehab.”

The rookie reacted to the team’s update on her Instagram Story, writing “The return will be scary.”

Sabrina Ionescu is rehabbing an ankle injury. (Screenshot/Instagram)
Sabrina Ionescu is rehabbing an ankle injury. (Screenshot/Instagram)

Ionescu rehabbing ankle sprain

The No. 1 draft pick had to be helped off the court in the second quarter of a game against the Atlanta Dream on July 31. She stepped on the foot of guard Betnijah Laney while crossing half court.

X-rays came back negative that night, per a report by The Athletic. She was diagnosed with a grade 3 sprain the following day, the worst type. It is a full tear of the ankle ligament and can take months to rehab. She has been seen in New York and returned home to California in the weeks since, even spending a movie night with Kobe Bryant’s family.

Will Ionescu play again this season?

Sabrina Ionescu in a black 'Black Lives Matter" T-shirt and in an ankle boot.
Sabrina Ionescu will not need surgery for her ankle injury, the team announced. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

There is still no word on if or when Ionescu will return to the “wubble” at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The team has not given any timetables and said it will share additional information on the 5-foot-11 guard’s status “as it becomes available.” A report by The Athletic said Ionescu will miss approximately a month.

Ionescu averaged 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists over not even 2 1/2 full games. After a slow start in her debut against the defensively tough Seattle Storm, she broke out for 33 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a loss to the Dallas Wings.

She is one of the brightest prospects in the history of the league after becoming the first player in NCAA Division I history with 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists.

The Liberty (1-11) are struggling with a rookie-heavy roster and Ionescu unavailable. They have 10 games remaining and conclude the season on Sept. 12.

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