The Phoenix Mercury retained almost every key piece from 2025, except for the player who led the team in offense — Satou Sabally. The newly assembled group reached the WNBA Finals and almost handed the Las Vegas Aces a tough defeat. But Sabally’s vision was different. She does want a ring, but with teammates she could trust and for a fandom that loved the game of basketball a little differently.

While the fans in the desert are no less, nothing really matches the New Yorkers. And so, the forward landed with her sister, Nayara’s, former team, the Liberty. But last Wednesday night, as the team hosted the Mercury in Barclays Center, Sabally couldn’t help in the 84-74 win. However, ahead of the rematch, she is motivated by the reason for her departure, which she recently revealed.

“I think it’s a perspective to being surprised but I also know that they wanted to keep their options open.” Sabally said via Geoff Magliocchetti.

Sabally was eligible to receive up to the $1.19 million max for 2026 and was largely considered a million-dollar player. However, they did not commit to her. As such, she signed a two-year, fully guaranteed deal in New York. But she isn’t carrying the baggage with her.

“I was more so focused on where I want to be next and I think that is in an environment that really encourages me and believes in me,” she added. “So I think that was just something that I had to do like for my own protection.

“What I really wanted to do is win a championship. I think that it’s missing on my resume. I know I’m a great player, but I do want that ring and I want to do it alongside people that I trust and alongside people that I want to really compete with in a place that embraces sports culture in a different way.”

Another reason, as she hinted, was Mercury’s handling of her concussion. Still, her former teammate Alyssa Thomas reacted with acceptance.

“At the end of the day, people make their decision and I mean, you respect that,” Thomas said. “So I mean, I’m happy for her either way.”

Yet, based on these recent updates, there seems to be some lingering friction between Mercury and Sabally. Phoenix GM Nick U’Ren also avoided giving a direct explanation for the decision.

“I’m not going to get too much into the decision in terms of core, not core, which players we thought we might use it on or not,” Nick U’ Ren said during a press conference on April 16. “I think this offseason was interesting just in terms of the timelines and what decisions needed to be made when strategically. I hate to be vague, but so many factors go into those decisions.”

Admittedly, Sabally has not had the best start to her Liberty career. She was still recovering from her concussion and a cyst issue when the season began and missed multiple games. Her debut was underwhelming, as she scored 5 points and 4 rebounds in 16 minutes. Sabally did have 20 points in her second game against Dallas but exited the Fire game with an illness. Just as emotions around the reunion began building, Sabally’s health once again became a storyline in New York. 

Chris DeMarco Hints At Extended Absence For Satou Sabally After Mercury Win

Satou Sabally’s return was highly anticipated in New York, especially considering they needed reinforcements during the three-game skid at home. The pre-game shoot-around and warm-ups gave everyone hope. After all, the team reported that she went to the Fire game with an illness. However, after leaving that very game early, she sat out of the Mercury matchup. Head coach Chris DeMarco has hinted that she could miss more games as she remains day-to-day on their injury report.

“Satou Sabally tested it out. She didn’t feel well, but she wanted to be out there with her teammates, so she played, and she was great throughout the game,” DeMarco told the media. “She’s questionable for the next one too, but she wanted to play.”

The Liberty are in an injury crisis to start off the season. Apart from Sabally, they have Sabrina Ionescu recovering from her left ankle injury and back soreness. Those two of their starting five. They managed to get a boost from the returning Betnijah Laney Hamilton and Leonie Fiebich for Phoenix. However, missing two key pieces for a new coach could be detrimental.