Satou Sabally update is bad news for Liberty amid FIBA World Cup

The New York Liberty have ruled out Satou Sabally for the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season -- and the All-Star forward's return to the court in any capacity remains unknown.

Sabally stepped away from the team after she suffered a head injury during a June 23 game against the Las Vegas Aces. The Liberty's marquee free agent addition has been limited to just 13 games this year amid a spate of injuries, which began in earnest with a concussion she sustained against the Aces while playing for the Phoenix Mercury in the 2025 WNBA Finals.

The Liberty signed Sabally to a multi-year contract in April, and New York's "Big Four" -- Sabally, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart -- looked on paper to be the most imposing group in the WNBA.

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But Sabally's season ends with only five starts to her name, and a career-low 10.4 points per game.

NEWS: Satou Sabally will miss the remainder of the season due to a head injury she suffered in the June 23 game against the Aces, the team announced today.

She played 13 games for the Liberty this season, starting in five.

Sabally's injuries have prevented her from playing at the FIBA Women's World Cup for host nation Germany, which will take part in the tournament for the first time since 1998.

Missing the World Cup is a big blow to Sabally, whose next opportunity to compete for her country is slated to be at the Summer Olympic Games from Los Angeles in 2028.

However, it's fair to wonder whether the 28-year-old's career is on the ropes as she continues to struggle with head injuries that have already brought her debut season in New York to a premature end.

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