"Skipping this week's game?": WNBA fans debate Sabrina Ionescu's Unrivaled availability after Liberty star's attendance for NBA Paris game

Sabrina Ionescu, Cameron Brink and WNBA legend Candace Parker attended the game between the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers on Thursday in Paris.

Ionescu, playing for Phantom BC in the Unrivaled, chatted with Tyrese Haliburton and Chris Paul. Brink, who didn't play in the 3x3 league because of an injury, talked to and posed for photos with Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama.

Fans promptly reacted to Ionescu’s appearance in France for the Spurs-Pacers showdown:

“Wait ... Ionescus team plays in about 25 hours, and she's currently in Paris France. Phantom is 0-2. ... is Ionsecu skipping this weeks games? They play Friday and Saturday. ... another Paris game on Saturday.”

One fan said:

“Ionescu touched Wemby?

“He's going 1/19 tonight for sure

Another fan added:

“Also, no splint on sabrina ionescu's right hand. looks like her thumb is healing well from the post-finals surgery”

@clinkie44 commented:

“That’s awesome Sabrina pulled up”

The Spurs-Pacers game started at 3 p.m. local time. Ionescu has a game with Phantom BC against Mist BC on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. The sharpshooter is cutting it close to a potential missed appearance in the Unrivaled if a delay happens.

Phantom BC is 0-2 in the tournament and lost both games by an average of 29.0 points. The team needs Ionescu back to compete.

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Sabrina Ionescu and Phantom BC have struggled in the Unrivaled

Heading into the Unrivaled opening, Phantom BC was considered a dark horse to win the tournament. Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, Natasha Cloud, Brittney Griner, Marina Mabrey and Katie Lou Samuelson could pull surprises.

Mabrey suffered an injury before the tournament, and Ionescu hasn't shot well. The New York Liberty star had 18 points on 6-for-17 shooting in the 86-48 beatdown against Laces BC.

In Phantom’s 84-69 loss to Vinyl BC, Sabrina Ionescu fared a bit better. She tallied 14 points on 6-for-11 shooting and added seven rebounds and six assists.

Ionescu had offseason surgery on her right thumb, which she injured in Game 4 of the 2024 WNBA Finals. She took time to recover and only became the 36th and last player to join Unrivaled. Although she's healthy now, the thumb must still be bothering her.

Phantom BC could be staring at a 0-3 start if their star shooter misses the game on Friday. Worse, she could stay until Saturday for the Spurs-Pacers rematch.