New York Liberty: Sabrina Ionescu undergoes minor ankle procedure

The New York Liberty’s top overall pick is expected to make a full recovery after losing her rookie season to a July injury.

Sabrina Ionescu returned to New York City this week for a minor ankle procedure. The New York Liberty rookie underwent what the team called a “minimally-invasive procedure removed calcified scar tissue that was irritating a tendon behind (her) ankle”, a process overseen by Dr. Martin O’Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Ionescu made her WNBA debut in the league’s Bradenton-based bubble over the summer, but her inaugural season was cut short by an ankle injury in her third game of the season.

According to Dr. O’Malley, Ionescu’s injured ligaments from her July incident have healed. Team doctors expect to clear her for physical activity soon.

“Sabrina had a minor ankle procedure to remove a loose bone chip that was irritating a tendon behind her ankle,” Dr. O’Malley in a team statement. “This chip that occurred during her sprain in July, did not involve the ankle joint cartilage surface and we expect a complete recovery.”

“With the long offseason, I am committed to returning in 2021 fully prepared to rejoin my team and jumpstart my WNBA career,”  Ionescu added in the same statement. “My rehab has been going very well and I look forward to getting back on the court.”

Ionescu set several records and earned even more accolades during her time at the University of Oregon. The Liberty took her with the top overall pick of the 2020 draft in April and she was immediately inserted into the starting lineup. She made a big impact in her limited time on the court, notably earning 33 points in only her second career game. Ionescu has spent most of the offseason in her hometown of Walnut Creek, CA, but returned to New York for her procedure. When WNBA action resumes in home arenas, the Liberty are expected to play their first full-time season at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The Liberty will also partake in the upcoming WNBA Draft Lottery, which will be held on a date to-be-determined.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags