Sabrina Ionescu’s first WNBA homecoming in Oregon will have to wait another season. The New York Liberty guard, a former University of Oregon star, will miss back‑to‑back games Tuesday and Thursday against the expansion Portland Fire at the Moda Center due to a left foot injury.
Apr 25, 2026; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) and forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half against the Indiana Fever at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
With Ionescu sidelined, the Liberty have turned to Marine Johannes, who delivered a career‑high 25 points—including six 3‑pointers—in a 98‑93 overtime victory at Washington on Sunday. Breanna Stewart added 23 points and nine rebounds as New York improved to 2‑0. Rookie Pauline Astier, Johannes’ fellow French guard, contributed 18 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals, while Jonquel Jones chipped in 13 points and eight rebounds.
Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco praised Johannes’ impact. “She’s a really special player,” DeMarco said. “She needs confidence, and we’ll live with the mistakes she makes. That’s part of her greatness and her all‑around game. Right now I love her defensive effort, and that carries over to offense—when you play hard on both ends, the basketball gods tend to reward you and the team.”
The expansion Portland Fire drew a record crowd of 19,335 for their season opener Saturday, the largest attendance for an expansion team’s first game in WNBA history. Portland fell 98‑83 to Chicago despite 18 points from Carla Leite and 13 each from Sarah Ashlee Barker and Bridget Carleton.
