Satou Sabally entered the 2026 season as part of the New York Liberty’s Big Four. But just two months into the season, the German player exited with a head injury. Even when Sabally announced she wouldn’t participate in the 2026 FIBA World Cup, there was hope that she would return for the playoffs. However, on Thursday, the Liberty fans’ hopes were crushed after a devastating update from the Liberty.

According to The Athletic’s Annie Costabile on X, “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.”

During that fateful game against the Las Vegas Aces, Sabally exited the game in the first quarter. With over five minutes remaining in the period, Sabally got hit by NaLyssa Smith’s elbow while fighting for the rebound. She was eventually subbed out, but the injury didn’t look very serious, and she was back on the court in the second quarter. She played for about four minutes in the game, but checked out later. Since then, she has been out of action.

Satou Sabally had been ruled out with a concussion. In the second month of her recovery, the Liberty’s injury designation and update from head coach Chris Demarco hinted that the injury was perhaps more serious than fans had anticipated. The Liberty changed Sabally’s injury designation from concussion to head injury. 

Demarco eventually told the media on August 13 that Sabally was going to be away from the team.

“She’s gonna be away from the team for a little bit. It’s her second significant head injury in the past 12 months. As with all our players, health will always be the focus. We look forward to getting her back. She’s just taking some time right now.”

Sabally’s first concussion injury happened in Game 3 of the 2025 WNBA Finals. Incidentally, it was also against the Las Vegas Aces, who eventually won the title. While competing for the ball as part of the Phoenix Mercury, Satou Sabally hit her head on Kierstan Bell’s knee. Her time in the Finals ended with the concussion. The WNBA star eventually missed the Unrivaled season due to a lingering concussion.

Sabally’s addition had given an offensive edge to the Liberty after they signed her in April to a two-year, $1.67 million contract. Sabally possessed a rare combination of multi-level scoring and features guard-like defensive agility.

After she joined the Liberty during the offseason, Sabally needed conditioning, forcing her to miss both the Liberty’s preseason games. Subsequently, she missed the first four games of the season with a cyst. She finally returned to the court, but that didn’t last long either. Satou Sabally played only 13 games in the Liberty uniform, averaging 10.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.

Within a week, Demarco announced that Sabally was taking some time away from the team; the heartbroken German national announced that she was pulling out of the 2026 FIBA World Cup. In her statement, Sabally said that “Right now, I have to listen to my body, put my health first, and prioritize my full recovery.”

This was a rare opportunity for Sabally to participate in the FIBA World Cup. It was the first time that the German national team had qualified for the FIBA World Cup since 1998, and the Liberty star could have played in front of her fans. Sabally’s last big international outing had been at the Paris Olympics in 2024, and she hopes to get her name called at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

For now, however, Satou Sabally will focus on recovery as the Liberty prepare to navigate the playoffs without her. Sabally’s absence will make them vulnerable in the postseason. She would have been a crucial piece against contenders. New York will hope to get back a healthy Sabally in 2027.