New York Liberty Guard Sabrina Ivanescu He underwent a procedure on Friday to stabilize the ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb, team sources told ESPN on Sunday.
The procedure, performed by operating surgeon Dr. Steven S. Shin, was deemed a success. Ionescu has begun rehabilitation and is expected to return to on-court activity in about four weeks.
Ionescu sustained an advanced UCL tear in her right side while shooting with her hand during Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, sources told ESPN in October. The UCL is located on the inner edge of the thumb near where the thumb meets the palm.
The Liberty star, who turned 27 on Friday, posted a photo of herself in a hospital bed after the procedure on social media on Sunday, with a partial caption that read, “My thumb is on the mend.” Karna was a birthday present.”
Ionescu’s injury was not publicly known until after the WNBA Finals, where the Liberty won. Minnesota Links Winner takes all in Game 5. Dealing with a thumb injury, Ionescu shot 1-19 in that game, but made his presence felt in other ways with seven rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block.
The former Oregon star and 2020 No. 1 pick was the Liberty’s second-leading scorer in the playoffs at 16.9 ppg, helping guide New York to a franchise-first championship. Ionescu earned second-team All-WNBA honors that season, won an Olympic gold medal and her first WNBA championship with USA Basketball this summer.