Sabrina Ionescu will miss the New York Liberty's Saturday night game against the Indiana Fever because of back soreness that flared up after Friday's practice. The star guard participated in team drills for the first time this season but experienced discomfort afterward, forcing her out of the lineup. Coach Chris DeMarco confirmed the decision during Saturday morning shootaround.

Ionescu has already missed the first five games of the season due to a preseason ankle injury, and this back issue emerged during her lone appearance on May 24 against Dallas. She described feeling better day-by-day but acknowledged uncertainty about playing. The injury represents another setback in what's been a challenging start to her season.

Rookie guard Pauline Astier continues to start in Ionescu's place, contributing 11.8 points, 3.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game. New York enters Saturday's matchup with a 6-4 record, while Indiana sits at 5-4. Both teams compete in the final game of New York's seven-game homestand.

The Liberty need Ionescu's playmaking abilities to maintain their strong start, but Astier's emergence provides a silver lining. New York's performance without their franchise guard will be tested against a Fever team looking to climb the Eastern Conference standings.