New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu had one burning question for her teammate Breanna Stewart: “Why didn’t I see you, ugh?” And honestly, same.
The ever-charismatic Ionescu, fresh off a WNBA championship win with Stewart, playfully lamented missing her co-star during the behind-the-scenes shoot for the much-anticipated inaugural season of the Unrivaled Basketball League. Stewart, who apparently mastered the art of blending basketball with wintry aesthetics, posted an Instagram reel with her Mist Basketball Club squad, captioned:
“BTS vibes are misty 🏔️🥶❄️”
Now, if we’re decoding emojis correctly, Stewart was channeling her inner frosty queen while juggling the high stakes of co-founding a groundbreaking league. Meanwhile, Ionescu, scrolling through Instagram like the rest of us mortals, couldn’t help but drop a sarcastic bomb:
“Why didn’t I see you ugh.”
Aww, Sabrina. FOMO hits even the best of us.
From Liberty Champs to Unrivaled Rivals
While Stewart was busy conjuring up snowy vibes, Ionescu was gearing up to represent the Phantom Basketball Club in the 3-on-3 league. As if their WNBA synergy wasn’t enough to keep fans swooning, these two will now headline competing teams in the Unrivaled League.
Joining Ionescu on Team Phantom are a dream lineup of talent: Jackie Young, Marina Mabry, Satou Sabally, Tiffany Hayes, and Brittney Griner. Meanwhile, Stewart’s Mist Basketball Club promises to be equally loaded, ensuring that this league is as competitive as it is revolutionary.
With six teams in the mix and the league tipping off on Jan. 17 in Miami, Unrivaled isn’t just bringing basketball heat during the WNBA offseason—it’s redefining the game itself. The league runs until March 17, meaning fans have two months of jaw-dropping hoops action to look forward to.
The Decision That Almost Wasn’t
For Ionescu, joining Unrivaled wasn’t an impulsive “yes.” In an earlier interview with the Associated Press, she admitted to carefully weighing her options. Balancing her career ambitions with the league’s groundbreaking premise and ownership opportunities ultimately tipped the scales in favor of her participation.
“It was a huge decision getting me to play or not,” Ionescu shared. “I weighed out all of my options and decided to do what’s best for me and my career. Being able to take part in a league that is the first of its kind with a historic deal and on the ownership side of it is important for me.”
Her decision was further solidified by Unrivaled’s flexibility, allowing players like her to skip select games during the tournament—a luxury that acknowledges the grueling schedules of elite athletes.
Sabrina’s Stardom Continues
Coming off a career-defining WNBA season, Ionescu’s numbers speak for themselves: 18.2 points, 6.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and a steal per game across 38 appearances. But it wasn’t just the stats that elevated her; it was her clutch performances during the Liberty’s historic playoff run that cemented her legacy.
Now, as she trades Liberty green for Phantom black, all eyes will be on Ionescu to see if her magic translates to this exciting new format. And let’s not forget the inevitable showdown with Stewart—it’s bound to be part basketball, part bestie banter, and 100% entertainment.
Let the Games Begin
So, Sabrina, you may have missed Stewart’s “misty” BTS vibes, but come Jan. 17, you’ll have plenty of chances to face her on the court. And for us fans, it’s the start of a league that promises to shake up women’s basketball—and we’re here for every moment.
Where you at, Stewie? Probably plotting her next icy Instagram post. Stay tuned.
