{"id":655387,"date":"2026-05-20T23:49:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T23:49:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/655387\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T23:49:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T23:49:09","slug":"liberty-hoping-to-add-star-power-in-contest-vs-valkyries-field-level-media-professional-sports-content-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/655387\/","title":{"rendered":"Liberty hoping to add star power in contest vs. Valkyries – Field Level Media – Professional sports content solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Liberty are hoping to get back two All-Stars \u2014 point guard Sabrina Ionescu and power forward Satou Sabally \u2014 on Thursday night when they host the Golden State Valkyries.<\/p>\n

Ionescu missed New York\u2019s first four games due to a left foot injury. However, she returned to practice on Monday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t make that decision yet,\u201d Ionescu said when asked if she expects to play. \u201cI have to see how I improve and how I respond to what I did the day before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sabally was New York\u2019s biggest offseason acquisition as she led Phoenix in scoring last year (16.3). However, she has yet to make her Liberty debut due to a cyst. She also returned to practice on Monday and is considered day-to-day.<\/p>\n

When these two players return, they will join a Liberty lineup that includes Breanna Stewart, who ranks seventh in the WNBA in scoring (23.0); and Pauline Astier, who is the top rookie scorer in the league (16.8).<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Valkyries have a lot less star power. Instead, Golden State plays tough defense, shoots a ton of 3-pointers and gets the most out of players such as forward Gabby Williams, its top free-agent addition this season.<\/p>\n

A two-time WNBA All-Defense selection, Williams is averaging 2.0 steals per game. On offense, she is on pace for career highs in points (14.7), rebounds (5.3) and 3-point percentage (40.0).<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t rely on superstars,\u201d Williams said. \u201cWe play together and fight for each other. The older I get (29), the more I appreciate a team that plays this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Golden State and New York are both well-rested as neither team has played in at least one week.<\/p>\n

But New York \u2014 considered among the favorites to win the league this year \u2014 will be opening a seven-game homestead while Golden State had to make the long journey across the country.<\/p>\n

Then again, Golden State surprised most experts by making the playoffs as an expansion team last season.<\/p>\n

One Golden State player to watch on Thursday is Kayla Thornton, a former Liberty standout. The forward is averaging 10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds this season. However, in her most recent game \u2014 a 69-63 home loss to Chicago \u2014 Thornton went scoreless in 30 minutes, missing all 11 of her shots. Thornton had scored 19 in her previous game and will seek redemption against New York.<\/p>\n

\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n

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