New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones and forward Nyara Sabally have been ruled out of Thursday's game against the Golden State Valkyries.
Hours before the game in Brooklyn, Underdog WNBA reported that Jones is out with a hamstring injury while Sabally, who was initially deemed questionable, is sitting out with a knee injury. Both players are under day-to-day status.
Their injuries come as the defending WNBA Champions are off to a hot start this season, winning all four of their first games. After beating the Las Vegas Aces on opening day and beating the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever on the road, New York defeated the Valkyries in the first of back-to-back games on Tuesday.
Jones, who anchored the Liberty on the paint to win the Finals MVP in 2024, is averaging a near double-double this season. In her third year wearing seafoam green, she is averaging 16.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.
Sabally has appeared in two games so far this season and is averaging four points and rebounds per game off the Liberty bench. Their absence on Thursday night means the Liberty may primarily rely on Breanna Stewart to rule the paint in a smaller lineup against Golden State.
The Valkyries look to bounce back from Tuesday's 95-67 blowout as they hold a 2-2 record and sit seventh in the league standings.
New York leads the Eastern Conference and sits second overall in the WNBA behind the 5-0 Minnesota Lynx.