Sources: Ionescu has UCL procedure in thumb

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu underwent a procedure Friday to stabilize the ulnar collateral ligament in her right thumb, team sources told ESPN on Sunday.

The procedure, conducted by operating surgeon Dr. Steven S. Shin, was considered a success. Ionescu has begun rehabilitation and is estimated to return to on-court activity in approximately four weeks.

Ionescu sustained a high-grade UCL tear in her right, shooting hand during Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, sources told ESPN in October. The UCL is located on the inside edge of the thumb near where the thumb meets the palm.

The Liberty star, who turned 27 on Friday, posted a picture on social media on Sunday of herself on a hospital bed after the procedure, with part of the caption reading “getting my thumb fixed was quite the bday present.”

Ionescu’s injury was not publicly known until after the WNBA Finals, where the Liberty prevailed over the Minnesota Lynx in a winner-take-all Game 5. Dealing with the thumb injury, Ionescu shot 1-for-19 that game, but made her presence felt in other ways with seven rebounds, eight assists, two steals and one block.

The former Oregon star and 2020 No. 1 pick was the Liberty’s second-leading scorer in the playoffs with 16.9 PPG, helping guide New York to a franchise-first championship. Ionescu earned second-team All-WNBA honors this season, an Olympic gold medal this summer with USA Basketball and won her first WNBA championship.