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Liberty wing Leonie Fiebich (foot) nonetheless has no timeline for return from an harm that sidelined her six consecutive video games going into the All-Star Break.
As of Wednesday night, the wing, the crew, nor its head coach disclosed a particular prognosis for the harm. And regardless that she mentioned she’s “feeling good, making progress,” and “getting higher each day,” Fiebich additionally famous she’s had hassle along with her foot earlier than “however not like this.”
The circumstances surrounding the Liberty starter aren’t excellent for a crew already battered with accidents to key gamers and projecting to nonetheless be a work in progress post-All-Star Break.
“Yeah, a little bit robust with these sorts of accidents, I’m gonna take it day by day. Couldn’t inform you [of a timeline],” Fiebich mentioned previous to a 95-94 win over the Chicago Sky Wednesday.
The harm occurred when Fiebich “took a dangerous step” in some unspecified time in the future throughout a July 3 dwelling victory in opposition to the Minnesota Lynx. The crew went 2-4 with out her since then as she handled soreness in her left foot. The Liberty are 11-4 in video games Fiebich performed, together with the Commissioner’s Cup championship win. They’re 4-8 in video games she’s missed.
Making issues worse is Satou Sabally’s absence as a result of concussion protocol. Sabally hasn’t performed since June 23 and head coach Chris DeMarco has basically pulled Betnijah Laney-Hamilton out of the rotation in current weeks.
Guard Marine Johannes (ankle) and Laney-Hamilton have been each DNPs for the WNBA common season first half finale.
Previous to Wednesday’s comeback win, a current skid with Fiebich on the sideline contributed to the championship-or-bust Liberty crew coming into the break simply three video games over .500 and in seventh place in WNBA standings — simply a half sport forward of the eighth-place Washington Mystics.
“Troublesome proper now for the crew. Undoubtedly struggling with them a little bit,” she mentioned. “I feel the win we received in opposition to Dallas was actually vital. After all for the standings, but in addition for us mentally as a crew. Let’s see if we are able to add on that and simply preserve the profitable going and extra so the progress. I’d say, like, simply of course, we wish to win video games, however we wish to make progress.”
Fiebich and the crew are hoping the injured foot could make some progress, too.
DeMarco beforehand mentioned Fiebich was capturing a day after she suffered the harm, however the crew determined “it was finest” for Fiebich to relaxation indefinitely following MRI outcomes.
Fiebich admitted her cautious rehab is “actually testing” her endurance.
She added she “completely” isn’t a affected person individual however she’s “received to do it.”
“There’s no approach round it,” she mentioned.
Fiebich mentioned she’s spending seven hours a day on the crew facility present process all kinds of bodily remedy.
When requested if she expects to be again on the courtroom in some unspecified time in the future this season, Fiebich mentioned: “Hopefully. Hope so.”
Getting again on the courtroom means a key two-way affect participant returns for the Liberty’s second half push. It additionally means a return to her German Nationwide crew, which is about to play in the FIBA Girls’s Basketball World Cup from Sept. 4-13 on dwelling soil.
“Yeah, I imply, of course, with the World Cup arising, I wouldn’t say I prioritize it, but it surely’s a actually vital match for us, and simply ensuring I’m going to be wholesome going into it,” mentioned Fiebich, who added “of course” she was frightened that the harm would have an effect on her World Cup standing.
“However extra so, like I hate to be on the sideline, like as each athlete,” she mentioned. “So simply in normal, like being out, not having the ability to assist the crew.”
Fiebich declined to reply if she would be capable of play by the harm if this wasn’t a World Cup 12 months.
For now, the German goes day by day. Some days the foot feels “actually good” and different days “I’m in ache. Simply form of relies on the day.”
