New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the second half against the Minnesota Lynx in Game 3 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. The Liberty won 80-77. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New York Liberty star guard Sabrina Ionescu finished out the WNBA Finals with a significant injury to her shooting hand, ESPN reported Thursday.
Ionescu reportedly sustained a high-grade tear of the ulnar collateral ligament, located near where the thumb meets the palm, during a Game 4 loss to the host Minnesota Lynx on Oct. 18.
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Two days later, Ionescu was limited to five points on 1-for-19 shooting (1 of 10 from 3-point range) as the Liberty clinched their first title with a 67-62 victory in overtime in Game 5.
The injury is not expected to require surgery, per ESPN. Ionescu, 26, had been spotted recently with a splint on her right thumb and a protective wrap on her hand.
READ: Sabrina Ionescu late 3 gives Liberty 2-1 WNBA Finals lead
Ionescu, who sank the game-winning 28-foot basket in Game 3, averaged 16.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.6 steals in 11 postseason starts.
The three-time All-Star guard has averaged 16.3 points, 6.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds in 143 games (139 starts) since New York drafted her No. 1 overall out of Oregon in 2020. –Field Level Media