Who is replacing Marina Mabrey on Unrivaled? Closer look at Lynx guard signing relief player contract with Phantom BC

When Phantom BC tips off their first game of the inaugural Unrivaled season on Saturday, Marina Mabrey will be watching from the sidelines. The Connecticut Sun standout, who joined Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier's Unrivaled league for its inaugural season, reportedly suffered a calf strain during training camp according to Chicago Sun-Times reporter Annie Costabile.

Because Mabrey will be out 2-4 weeks while nursing the injury, Phantom BC has signed Natisha Hiedeman to a relief player contract. Hiedeman wasn't initially one of the six players assigned to Phantom BC, however, with Mabrey out, the Minnesota Lynx guard will now have a chance to make her Unrivaled debut.

Hiedeman has been playing in the WNBA since the 2019 season after the Marquette alum was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx in the second round. On draft night, however, she was traded to the Connecticut Sun. Last season, she finally landed with the Minnesota Lynx via trade.

In 40 games with the team, Hiedeman logged 4.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game on 38.0% from the field, including 28.0% from three.

She now joins Satou Sabally, Brittney Griner, Natasha Cloud, Katie Lou Samuelson and Sabrina Ionescu on Phantom BC, which is coached by Adam Harrington.

Looking at the status of Marina Mabrey and Natisha Hiedeman's Unrivaled teammate Sabrina Ionescu heading into the inaugural season

Heading into the inaugural season of Unrivaled, Marina Mabrey isn't the only player on Phantom BC dealing with an injury. In addition, to Marina Mabrey, Sabrina Ionescu is also dealing with an injury.

After winning the WNBA championship with the New York Liberty last season, Ionescu underwent thumb surgery on Dec. 6. Because of that, there has been some uncertainty surrounding when she will return to action.

Ahead of Phantom BC's opening game against Laces on Saturday, Ionescu has been given the green light to take the floor although she isn't up to 100%.

Despite not being at her full potential, because of the excitement surrounding the inaugural season of Unrivaled, Ionescu is eager to return to the floor after being cleared on Jan. 8.

The New York Post relayed a quote from the WNBA star on the situation ahead of opening night for Phantom BC:

“My first time going live was this week actually, so that felt really good. Little rusty but knocking the rust off a little bit and excited to just get live reps and knowing that’ll take care of itself as I play through this season.

“If there wasn’t this going on, I probably could have taken a little bit more time of just rehabbing, letting it heal... I’m out here and getting live reps. So everything’s going really well so far.”

With Marina Mabrey out and Sabrina Ionescu still not 100%, only time will tell how things play out for the team in their opening game of the season.