Sabrina Ionescu still has eyes on Liberty season amid All-Star festivities
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA. tRY IT NOW
INDIANAPOLIS — Liberty stars Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart met near center court Saturday night.
They may be wearing different color threads for this year's WNBA All-Star game but they still made sure to stick to their preseason routine.
It started by locking pinkies, then they continued with the rest of the special handshake they do before every game and then Stewart went in for a tight hug with a toothy smile.
Saturday's game — a 151-131 win by Team Collier over Team Clark — was the punctuation on a fun three days of festivities during the league's midseason break.
Ionescu went in with the right mindset.
'Absolutely no desire or care if we win or not,' Ionescu told The Post with a laugh. 'No, I mean, I hope I don't even play that many minutes to be honest, we play in two days.'
3 Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty defends against Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty during the first quarter of the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Getty Images
She's got a point.
The Liberty are scheduled to host the Fever on Tuesday. The team's break — if you can call it that for those who participated in All-Star festivities — was short-lived.
'Obviously, it's fun,' Ionescu said. 'I think it probably would have been a little bit more competitive if teams didn't play in such a short amount of days, and I think that's something as we're talking into our [collective bargaining agreement] and understanding, like All-Stars don't really have a break. We finish, we get on a flight the next day, we're here, jam-packed weekend, wanting to pour into the fans, show up to events, do 3-point contests, skills contest, and then playing a game and fly right back to practice and play in three days. And so I think that's something obviously as players we want to be able to come out here during this time, put on a great show for the fans, but also take care of our bodies because we don't have time.'
3 Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty shoots from a 4-point circle against Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Getty Images
Caitlin Clark had been anxiously awaiting this weekend since it was announced last summer that Indianapolis would host the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend.
Despite earning her second consecutive All-Star nod, Clark watched the Friday and Saturday night festivities from the sidelines as she continues to deal with a groin injury.
Clark said it's 'certainly unfortunate' she couldn't participate in the 3-point contest nor the All-Star Game like she planned.
3 Caitlin Clark watches following a WNBA All-Star basketball game against Team Collier, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis.
AP
But she said she did her best to balance enjoying the weekend and receiving treatment for her injury.
The Liberty are scheduled to host the Fever on Tuesday for their first game after the midseason break. Clark's status for that game is uncertain.
Sonia Citron didn't think Ionescu was serious about giving the Mystics rookie half of her $62,575 prize money for winning the 3-point contest.
But Ionescu swears she's a woman of her word.
'I didn't think she was being for real at all,' Citron said when Ionescu offered before the event. 'But I guess she was.'
Consider this a tip of the crown from the champion to the first-year player who had courage to compete against the seasoned veterans.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indianapolis Star
33 minutes ago
- Indianapolis Star
WNBA trade deadline is Thursday. Will Indiana Fever make any moves?
PHOENIX – For the first time in a few years, it has been a slightly active WNBA trade deadline. Trades are notoriously hard to make midseason in the WNBA because of the hard salary cap. Teams are already juggling with limited money, as players' salary demands are expanding at a higher rate than the salary cap, and franchises have no option to go over the cap unless there is a hardship situation. Still, there have been two trades so far in the week leading up to the trade deadline: the Dallas Wings traded guard DiJonai Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Diamond Miller and Karlie Samuelson and the Washington Mystics traded All-Star Brittney Sykes to Seattle in exchange for Alysha Clark, Zia Cooke and a 2026 first-round pick. Now, the deadline is coming up 3 p.m., Thursday. And it seems like the Indiana Fever are going to stay where they're at in their roster construction. The biggest indication Indiana would likely stand pat was the decision to sign forward Chloe Bibby to a rest-of-season deal on Aug. 1. Bibby came to Indiana on July 25 on a seven-day contract, and the Fever could have signed her for up to three seven-day deals this season. If the Fever were to have signed Bibby to another seven-day contract on Aug. 1, they would have had a lot more flexibility in possible trade options or roster space. They could have waived her at any point in that seven-day contract with no repercussions if they wanted to make a trade. A seven-day contract would have also given them more cap space to work with. But Indiana decided to sign Bibby to a rest-of-season contract in the week leading up to the trade deadline, guaranteeing her prorated $23,322 (per Her Hoop Stats) for the rest of the season. Bibby fit what the Fever needed, too, and what they would have likely tried to trade for if they decided to be active at the deadline. Indiana has been struggling with post depth this season, with Damiris Dantas and Makayla Timpson going in and out of the rotation, Brianna Turner playing sparingly and DeWanna Bonner leaving the team after nine games. Bibby is a stretch four, able to shoot 3-pointers and space out the floor. The Fever were able to get her for a low price with the prorated minimum. By signing Bibby they filled their final open roster spot. They could waive her in the event of a trade and just eat the cost of her contract, like the Wings did with Teaira McCowan or the Mystics did with Sika Kone. But then why sign Bibby to a rest-of-season contract instead of a second seven-day in the first place? The Fever don't have many trade assets, either, that they would be willing to give up. The only players under contract past 2025 are Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark and Timpson, and the first two are completely untouchable. Timpson has potential and is under contract through 2028, but she doesn't have much trade value as she plays limited minutes. All other players would be seen as rentals to potential trade partners, as they're going to be free agents at the end of the season. Indiana has found success with this roster, even with Clark on the sidelines, in recent weeks. The Fever have won five of seven coming out of the All-Star break, and they're looking like the contenders everyone thought they would be in the preseason.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The Password at first base? It's a possibility soon according to Red Sox brass
WORCESTER — The Password is? 'A good player, huh?' WooSox manager Chad Tracy said. WooSox outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia — aka 'The Password' — hit a 441-foot grand slam in the third inning of Worcester's 5-1 win over Lehigh Valley Friday night. The ball exited Polar Park at 109.4 miles per hour. 'He smoked it,' Tracy said. 'He just crushed it. It sounded like a shotgun when he hit it.' The homer was Garcia's 13th since being called up from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester on May 20, and he knocked his 14th on Saturday. After only hitting four home runs in 33 games with Portland this year, Garcia has more than tripled that amount in 53 games in Worcester. 'As soon as he got here, the home runs started showing up,' Tracy said. 'He's jumped right in and not just been good, but been one of our, if not our, best offensive players since he's shown up here.' Along with his flashy nickname and hitting, which includes a batting line of .300 with 42 RBIs and 21 walks in Worcester, Garcia also has flashed his glove in all three outfield spots with the WooSox. Yet, the Red Sox' No. 2 prospect (per could be flashing some new leather at a new position soon. After Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reported Garcia may see some time at first base in the upcoming weeks, Boston Red Sox senior director of player development Brian Abraham confirmed with the T&G that Garcia could start taking ground balls at first base during Worcester's upcoming home series with Buffalo, which begins Aug. 5. Tracy verified that information ahead of his team's game Aug. 2 but wants to discuss it further with WooSox defensive coach Iggy Suarez, and Garcia, before announcing any definitive next steps. 'If we start to do that, it's likely going to be a slow start to introduce stuff to him and see how he even takes to it,' Tracy said. 'And when we say that, it's like if you take them over there and it looks awful or you feel it could be aborted right away. But it just might be something we start introducing to him here in the near future.' Last year, Garcia led all Red Sox minor leaguers in homers and was added to Boston's 40-man roster in the offseason. 'This guy loves the big moment,' Tracy said. With Garcia staying with the organization, after reportedly being involved in a few possible proposals at Thursday's MLB trade deadline, the Red Sox are opening the door for a possible path to Boston for their lone selection to the 2025 All-Star Futures Game — via first base. With a crowded outfield in the major leagues at the moment, and a budding star with a popular nickname, the Red Sox are trying to find a solution for their outfielder nicknamed The Password. —Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@ Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Red Sox top outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia could be playing first base soon
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Florida RHP Christian Rodriguez ends strong summer as Harwich Mariners top pitcher
Florida Gators right-handed reliever Christian Rodriguez capped off his All-Star summer with the Harwich Mariners in the Cape Cod League with the Al Graeber Outstanding Pitcher Award. Named after the team's beloved PA announcer from 1971–1993, the Graeber Award recognizes the Mariners' top pitcher each season. "The Mariners' de facto closer, C-Rod, was lights out from the bullpen," a press release announcing the team awards reads. "His 26 strikeouts led the team and (ranked) third in the league among pitchers with zero starts. He ended the summer with a 0.93 ERA in 19.1 innings, rising to the occasion whenever the team needed him most. He also led the team with three saves." "My time here with Harwich has been unbelievable," Rodriguez told Gators Wire. "I've met so many great players and coaches and have played against a lot of talented guys. It has been one of the best summers in my life, and I'm super grateful and honored to play in this league." Rodriguez is an early candidate to replace Jake Clemente as Florida's closer. He emerged as one of the more reliable bullpen arms in Gainesville this season, throwing 23 2/3 innings over 22 appearances. A 5.32 ERA and 6.29 FIP leave something to be desired, but Rodriguez was coming back from Tommy John surgery as a true freshman. Now completely healthy and more than a year removed from the injury, Rodriguez is looking like the pitcher Florida signed out of high school. Rodriguez was the heart of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas 2023 state championship team, following in the footsteps of Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony and former Florida Gators Chris Arroyo and Jake Clemente. He hit .359/.474/.692 with six home runs as a senior. On the mound, Rodriguez was among the nation's best with a 0.69 ERA and 0.50 WHIP over 70 2/3 innings. He struck out 117 while walking just 65. Rodriguez ran his fastball up to 97 mph out of high school, but his changeup has always been the kind of secondary pitch that elite closers utilize. Often referred to as a "Bugs Bunny" changeup because of its pull-the-string movement down in the zone and 15 mph difference from the fastball, Rodriguez has already shown flashes of dominance against SEC bats with it. His 50% flyball rate feels a bit high for a pitcher who relies on a changeup so often, but a 28.7% strikeout rate is strong. Rodriguez enters the fall as one of the veterans of Florida's pitching staff. Luke McNeillie and Billy Barlow have more innings under their belt, and Caden McDonald is in a similar position. Expect to hear those four names out of the bullpen quite often. "What I'm looking forward to the most about going back to Florida is just getting there and grinding again," he said. "I think we have a great team with some new guys coming that I'm extremely excited for, and hopefully we make a run this year." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
