Sabrina Ionescu scoffs after Angel Reese’s taunts are revealed on hot mic during Unrivaled game

Things are starting to get spicy in the Unrivalled Basketball League. When the Phantom BC took on Rose BC for their league stage matchup, the game was bound to be a blockbuster affair, with stars like Sabrina Ionescu and Angel Reese headlining the matchup battles. While Ionescu’s Phantom BC came out on top comfortably, the story of the game was the sly remark she would receive from Reese.

In a moment caught on air , Angel Reese took a dig at Sabrina Ionescu’s defense. Reese claimed that the New York Liberty star can’t ‘fu**ing guard anyone’ during a timeout, which was picked up by a hot mic being worn by the team’s HC Nola Henry. While there was much discussion regarding Reese’s comments, Ionescu seems to have taken a shot at the rookie sensation in her latest social media post.

Ionescu certainly isn’t one to take disrespect lying down, and as the reigning WNBA Champion, she had a point to prove against Reese and the Rose BC. After recently returning from the Paris Fashion Week, Ionescu returned to the squad for the Phantom BC to put up a stellar performance, putting any trash talk or questions to sleep.

When the final whistle blew, Sabrina Ionescu had ended the game, having played 19 minutes. In those 19 minutes, she rained down 7 threes in 10 attempts en route to a 32-point outing with 9 rebounds and 8 assists on 11-18 shooting. She was a flamethrower from distance, and her performance ensured that the Phantom comfortably secured a 75-63 win for their second victory of the season.

Sabrina Ionescu and Angel Reese may miss Unrivalled marquee 350,000 game

The Unrivalled League has vowed to make sure that every player who joins the league this season ends up having the best offseason of their career. Not only has the league been transformative in creating a new court geared towards a 3×3 style of game in a full-court setting, but their mid-season events are also one of their biggest attractions.

The premier event amongst these is the league’s 1 on 1 competition, which is set to take place from 10th to 14th February. However, the league’s premiere midseason entertainment competition might be facing a roadblock, as both Sabrina Ionescu and Angel Reese may end up pulling out from participating. Ahead of her return to the Phantom, Ionescu revealed why she would be inclined to miss the 1 on 1 game.

This is the middle of our offseason, so there is a fine line between understanding you are here to get better and work. But for me, I can’t be as intensely locked in as I am in the W. I’d be burned out by the time the W season starts. – Sabrina Ionescu told ESPN

Ionescu wants to preserve herself for the upcoming WNBA season, especially given that the New York Liberty will be kicking off the 2025 season attempting to safeguard their championship. Moreover, Ionescu has just returned from surgery after suffering a UCL tear late last season.

As for Angel Reese, she has been solid in the role she has played so far for the Rose BC, but she is also expected to miss the 1 on 1 tournament, primarily due to her own issues. Reese is more inclined towards maintaining her mental health and recovering from her season-ending wrist injury, than she has hinted at so far.