The New York Liberty entered the season with every reason to believe they could be a force to be reckoned with. After retaining their Big Three and adding Satou Sabally in what was arguably the biggest move of the offseason, the Liberty looked primed to become a serious contender under first-year head coach Chris DeMarco. But as the season has unfolded, that promise has gradually faded. And now, just as the race for the playoffs heats up, the Liberty have been dealt another major blow.

Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco, via WNBA reporter Myles Erlich, announced that Satou Sabally will be away from the team for an unspecified period as she deals with the effects of her second significant head injury in the past 12 months. 

“She’s gonna be away from the team for a little bit,” DeMarco said. “It’s her second significant head injury in the past 12 months. Health will always be the focus. We look forward to getting her back — she’s just taking some time right now.”

Sabally has been sidelined since June 23, when a collision with Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith left her with her second concussion in just over eight months. Her first came last October, when she suffered a head injury after colliding with Aces defender Kierstan Bell during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals while playing for the Phoenix Mercury.

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For nearly seven weeks after the injury, Sabally remained in concussion protocol. However, ahead of the Liberty’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks, her designation was changed to a head injury. Although Sabally had cleared the official concussion protocol, she was still not back to 100% as per reports, prompting the Liberty to prioritize her long-term health over a quick return.

When asked whether Sabally will participate in any basketball-related activities during her time away, DeMarco said the decision will be made in consultation with the team’s performance staff.

“This is under the guidance of our performance team,” DeMarco added. “Just for now, she’s taking some time away and making sure she’s healthy.”

The announcement, shared by Underdog WNBA on X, immediately sparked an outpouring of support from fans determined to make their care and concern felt.

“Prayers up for Satou 🙏🏾🙏🏾,” one fan wrote simply. “Praying for her,” said another. A third added warmly, “Sending her so much love. Hope she heals up well ❤️”

Several fans also made clear that they fully understood and supported Sabally’s decision to step away, and encouraged her to take all the time she needs.

“Take your time Satou, rest your strength, recover fully and safely and then RISE! ❤️🫶🏽💪🏾” one fan wrote. Others paired their prayers with a sobering note of concern while hoping for the best.

“Such a talented player. Those concussions can end sports careers so fast. Praying she can get back on the court 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾”

“Wish her speedy recovery, she will be back stronger 😍😍,” another fan said. “😢 Wishing Satou successful healing ❤️❤️,” another added.

Sabally signed a two-year, $1.67 million deal this offseason with the Liberty, but the year got away from her early. She missed the start of the season with a cyst, then got sick in late May. She’s only played 13 games this season, putting up 10.4 points and 1.9 assists.

To add to her fans’ concern, Germany is hosting the FIBA World Cup next month, and Sabally would normally be one of the faces of that team if she’s healthy. Right now, nobody knows if she’ll suit up.

As fans continue to send their prayers and support, the hope remains that the star forward can take the time she needs, recover fully, and eventually return to the court feeling like herself again because the Liberty have clearly suffered in her absence.

Sabally’s Absence Adds to Liberty’s Woes

Few teams have experienced a more topsy-turvy season than the Liberty. They stumbled out of the gates with a 3-4 record, only to respond with an eight-game winning streak. They then beat the Las Vegas Aces in the Commissioner’s Cup final and followed it up by taking down the Minnesota Lynx, seemingly putting their early-season struggles behind them.

But just when things were looking hopeful, New York dropped four straight games, including a 108-88 blowout loss to the Indiana Fever.

According to The Athletic, DeMarco has used 13 different starting lineups this season, with the much-anticipated starting five of Sabrina Ionescu, Leonie Fiebich, Sabally, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones sharing the court for just two games due to injuries.

Yes, it hasn’t been just Sabally keeping the Liberty’s star-studded lineup from finding consistency. Fiebich has been sidelined with a left foot injury since July 3, with no return date set, while Sabrina Ionescu missed 12 of the team’s first 13 games with ankle and back issues.

With so many key pieces in and out of the lineup, the team has had little opportunity to build the kind of chemistry a championship-caliber team needs.

“Definitely harder than years in the past, for sure, because we didn’t have a new system, new coach, so much newness and some key new pieces (like we do now),” Ionescu said of the instability of this season’s rotation, as per The Athletic. “Satou is a huge piece for us … trying to build chemistry when people come out and in is hard.”

But credit must go to Chris DeMarco for keeping the Liberty firmly in the playoff hunt. Since that brutal loss to the Fever, New York has responded by winning eight of its next 10 games.

But their latest victory against the Los Angeles Sparks did little to convince anyone that this Liberty team is ready for a title run. New York narrowly avoided one of the biggest collapses in league history after letting a 28-point lead slip to just three, with the Sparks scoring 21 consecutive points in the fourth quarter.

Things could look very different once the Liberty have their full team back together. There is still no exact timeline for Sabally’s return, but DeMarco remains hopeful that the star forward will be back with the team soon.

“We’re really looking forward to getting her back and she will be back,” he said. “She’s gonna play at an elite level again. But in terms of just the broad scope of players, we have to deal with that journey.”

It remains to be seen when Sabally will be able to return, but everyone knows a healthy Satou Sabally could make the New York Liberty a genuine championship contender.