New York Liberty standout, Sabrina Ionescu finally gets to hear a good news weeks after her WNBA Finals triumph.

36 Days Later, Sabrina Ionescu Finally Fixes the Thumb That Nearly Lost Her the WNBA Championship

 The countdown to her comeback has officially begun! It all stemmed in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx. Sabrina Ionescu, who had hit a game-winning 28-foot three-pointer in Game 3—now regarded as one of the most iconic shots in WNBA playoff history—struggled with her shooting as the Finals progressed. It was evident in the winner-take-all Game 5, where she endured a shocking 1-for-19 outing, including 1-for-10 from beyond the arc. But what happened? The answer lies in a high-grade UCL tear in her right shooting hand that severely limited her. Despite her team securing a dramatic 67-62 overtime victory to clinch the championship, Ionescu, the team’s leading scorer throughout the playoffs with an average of 16.9 points per game, managed just five points in the decisive game. Fans were left eagerly awaiting her return to full strength—and now, the wait is almost over. Thirty-six days after the Finals and on her birthday, Ionescu underwent a procedure to stabilize the Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) in her right thumb. Fortunately, because the UCL is located on the inside edge of the thumb, no surgery was required at the time. Spotted with her hand wrapped and sporting a splint, Ionescu has now been cleared to start her rehabilitation. With the recovery process underway, she’s expected to return to the court and make a full impact in just four weeks. Well, the experience is not something new to Ionescu. INJURIES HAVE BEEN A RECURRING PART OF SABY’S JOURNEY Right in her rookie season, Ionescu suffered a left ankle injury in the second quarter against the Atlanta Dream. The No. 1 pick of the 2020 WNBA Draft was diagnosed with a grade 3 sprain. While the initial prognosis estimated a month-long recovery, Ionescu did not return to play for the rest of her first professional season. When she was finally set to make her debut at the WNBA’s championship, the COVID pandemic derailed her plans. Undeterred, Ionescu remained focused and eventually led the Liberty to the 2022 Finals, only to be struck down by another setback. Injuries once again stole the spotlight. [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/USATSI_24546669.jpg]https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/USATSI_24546669.jpgOct 20, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) celebrates after defeating the Minnesota Lynx in game five of the 2024 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images During the 2023 Finals then, Ionescu was visibly struggling to even walk, relying on an injection for her aching hip just to step on the court. Las Vegas Aces would take the crown eventually as star guard’s scores fell. “Losing motivates you,” she had reflected. And no surprise she came back stronger the following year. With 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, Ionescu had her best season. “It’s just about wanting to be better all the time and not being OK with being complacent,” she says. With a championship already in the bag, she isn’t stopping now. 

Shivatmika Manvi is an Olympic Sports writer at EssentiallySports. She writes about the diverse worlds of equestrian sports and rodeo, whilst maneuvering through the realm of gymnastics. Closely following the paths of showjumping icon Jennifer Gates and Dressage maestro Christian Simonson, Shivatmika gives readers a platform to know more about their favorite jockeys. In the realm of bull riding, she brings insights on Sage Kimzey, portraying the thrill and courage required in this fast-paced sport. Furthermore, the X, formerly Twitter, handle of Professional Bull Riding (PBR) shared her article about bull riding champion Dakota Buttar, recognizing her expertise.

Shivatmika Manvi

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