Liberty continue to play it safe as Nyara Sabally deals with ‘discomfort' flare up
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There's a saying in sports: Availability is the best ability.
Unfortunately for Nyara Sabally, the Liberty backup center has struggled with that over the course of her first three years in the WNBA.
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Sabally rested during the midseason break, according to coach Sandy Brondello, but she had 'a little bit of discomfort' flare up, resulting in her missing at least two games for what the team called 'rest.'
Sabally didn't play in the Liberty's win against the Fever on Tuesday out of the All-Star break nor did she suit up to help New York thump the Mercury 89-76 on Friday.
4 Sabrina Ionescu, Nyara Sabally of the New York Liberty and Satou Sabally of the Phoenix Mercury pose for a picture after the game between the Phoenix Mercury and the New York Liberty during a WNBA game on July 25, 2025.
NBAE via Getty Images
And Brondello doesn't anticipate Sabally playing Saturday against the Sparks, either.
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'We're taking the time with her,' Brondello said.
The Liberty have the depth to play it extremely safe with Sabally's tenuous knee.
Jonquel Jones is back in action after missing a month with a sprained ankle.
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Isabelle Harrison, who has been playing a lot better over the past few games, can give the Liberty quality minutes and Breanna Stewart can play a five when needed.
4 Nyara Sabally of the New York Liberty and Satou Sabally of the Phoenix Mercury smile after the game between the Phoenix Mercury and the New York Liberty on July 25, 2025.
NBAE via Getty Images
4 Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever drives to the basket as Nyara Sabally of the New York Liberty gives chase during the second quarter.
Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
'We didn't want to risk forcing her back when we kind of just got JJ back, too,' Brondello said. 'We've got that depth here, so giving her the time that she needs, and I don't know what that looks like but we have it right now, so let's utilize it.'
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Kayla Thornton's breakout season came to a premature end this week.
Thornton, just days removed from her first All-Star appearance, underwent season-ending knee surgery Friday after she suffered an injury at practice this week, the Valkyries announced.
Thornton, whom the Valkyries plucked from the Liberty in the expansion draft this past offseason, was having a career season, averaging 14 points, seven rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.
4 Kayla Thornton of the Golden State Valkyries during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Brondello sent Thornton a message as soon as she heard the heartbreaking news.
'She will always be a part of something special that we did here,' Brondello said. 'It's unfortunate, but I know she'll have the right mentality and she'll come back better and stronger than ever.'
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Jones, in her second game back after missing a month with an ankle sprain, recorded 20 points and 11 rebounds. It was her seventh double-double in 11 games this season and the Liberty improved to 29-0 all-time when Jones gets a double-double.
New York's starting lineup featuring Natasha Cloud, Sabrina Ionescu, Leonie Fiebich, Stewart and Jones improved to 9-0 this season.
The Liberty close out their July homestand Saturday when they host the Sparks. New York will then head out on a road trip where they will play four games in seven days.
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