Blab Sports
Marine Fauthoux Set for New York Liberty Debut After Year-Long ACL Rehab
Marine Fauthoux will step onto the Barclays Center court for the first time with the New York Liberty Saturday night at 7 p.m. Eastern Time, facing the Indiana Fever. The 24‑year‑old French guard, who fell 29th overall in the 2021 WNBA draft, has spent the last year fighting back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.
The Liberty announced the milestone on Friday, and Fauthoux shared her excitement about finally playing before a full‑house crowd. "That’s crazy," she said, referring to the arena’s size and the fans’ energy. She also reflected on the hard road to recovery, admitting she had expected a shorter timeline. "I thought I would be on the court earlier," she added, noting that the year‑long rehab taught her resilience.
Coach Chris DeMarco, in his first season at the helm, said the team had no specific expectations for Fauthoux’s minutes but welcomed her readiness to suit up. "She’s worked so hard to get back," DeMarco remarked after a shoot‑around session. "I’m just really, really happy for her for this opportunity."
The injury occurred in June of last year, sidelining Fauthoux from the EuroBasket tournament. She has represented France at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics and currently plays for Çukurova Basketbol in Turkey’s Women’s Basketball Super League.
New York’s 2026 roster features players from seven countries, including France, Australia, the Bahamas, China, Germany, and Spain. Fauthoux is one of two development‑contract players—a new roster category created under the 2026 collective bargaining agreement. Development contracts allow a player to appear in up to 12 games while earning a salary between $15,000 and $25,000, a fraction of the minimum WNBA salary.
Her return adds a point‑guard option, especially with veteran Sabrina Ionescu sidelined for the game. The backcourt will therefore rely on guard Pauline Astier and the new addition. Astier and Fauthoux have been friends since childhood, a bond that has helped Fauthoux adjust to life in New York.
The Liberty’s 2026 season is the franchise’s 30th overall and the first under DeMarco. The team has reached the playoffs in nineteen of its twenty‑eight seasons and captured a championship in 2024, defeating the Minnesota Lynx. Past stars include Teresa Weatherspoon, Becky Hammon, and current star Sabrina Ionescu.
Fauthoux’s mother traveled to New York for the debut, and the player said she wants to "be the best version of herself on the court." She also noted that watching men’s EuroLeague games early in her recovery helped her stay mentally engaged with basketball.
The Liberty’s schedule for the week opens with the home game against the Indiana Fever on Saturday, followed by a road trip to the Chicago Sky on Sunday. The front office confirmed that Fauthoux will be available for Saturday and may be activated for future contests, subject to her health and the coaching staff’s evaluation.
In summary, Marine Fauthoux is set to debut for the New York Liberty after a yearlong ACL rehabilitation. The player’s development contract allows her to play up to 12 games, and she joins a roster that already features international talent. The Liberty’s first game of the week will test the new guard’s readiness and provide a boost to the team’s backcourt depth as they continue their 2026 campaign.
The Liberty announced the milestone on Friday, and Fauthoux shared her excitement about finally playing before a full‑house crowd. "That’s crazy," she said, referring to the arena’s size and the fans’ energy. She also reflected on the hard road to recovery, admitting she had expected a shorter timeline. "I thought I would be on the court earlier," she added, noting that the year‑long rehab taught her resilience.
Coach Chris DeMarco, in his first season at the helm, said the team had no specific expectations for Fauthoux’s minutes but welcomed her readiness to suit up. "She’s worked so hard to get back," DeMarco remarked after a shoot‑around session. "I’m just really, really happy for her for this opportunity."
The injury occurred in June of last year, sidelining Fauthoux from the EuroBasket tournament. She has represented France at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics and currently plays for Çukurova Basketbol in Turkey’s Women’s Basketball Super League.
New York’s 2026 roster features players from seven countries, including France, Australia, the Bahamas, China, Germany, and Spain. Fauthoux is one of two development‑contract players—a new roster category created under the 2026 collective bargaining agreement. Development contracts allow a player to appear in up to 12 games while earning a salary between $15,000 and $25,000, a fraction of the minimum WNBA salary.
Her return adds a point‑guard option, especially with veteran Sabrina Ionescu sidelined for the game. The backcourt will therefore rely on guard Pauline Astier and the new addition. Astier and Fauthoux have been friends since childhood, a bond that has helped Fauthoux adjust to life in New York.
The Liberty’s 2026 season is the franchise’s 30th overall and the first under DeMarco. The team has reached the playoffs in nineteen of its twenty‑eight seasons and captured a championship in 2024, defeating the Minnesota Lynx. Past stars include Teresa Weatherspoon, Becky Hammon, and current star Sabrina Ionescu.
Fauthoux’s mother traveled to New York for the debut, and the player said she wants to "be the best version of herself on the court." She also noted that watching men’s EuroLeague games early in her recovery helped her stay mentally engaged with basketball.
The Liberty’s schedule for the week opens with the home game against the Indiana Fever on Saturday, followed by a road trip to the Chicago Sky on Sunday. The front office confirmed that Fauthoux will be available for Saturday and may be activated for future contests, subject to her health and the coaching staff’s evaluation.
In summary, Marine Fauthoux is set to debut for the New York Liberty after a yearlong ACL rehabilitation. The player’s development contract allows her to play up to 12 games, and she joins a roster that already features international talent. The Liberty’s first game of the week will test the new guard’s readiness and provide a boost to the team’s backcourt depth as they continue their 2026 campaign.
