Why is Sabrina Ionescu not playing against Lunar Owls? Phantom BC star's absence in Unrivaled explored (Jan. 25)

Sabrina Ionescu's Phantom win their first game of the 2025 Unrivaled season. The New York Liberty guard secured the final spot in the league after undergoing thumb surgery in December. Fortunately, she was cleared to play in the new league, but being healthy hasn't prevented her from missing some games in the first two weeks of competition.

WNBA reporter Meghan L. Hall shared the injury report for today's slate. Ionescu is featured as out due to personal reasons. She's the second Phantom player ruled out for the game, as Marina Mabrey is still dealing with a calf injury that will keep her sidelined for a couple of weeks.

Sabrina Ionescu made it clear she wasn't going to be a full-time player in the league co-founded by her Liberty teammate Breanna Stewart.

Given her popularity off the court, Ionescu will have commitments to attend during the season, as she announced a couple of weeks ago in a press conference.

"I'm not going to be here the full time," Ionescu said. "They've been very accommodating knowing that I have obligations I have to be at, being able to work through that with them and knowing I want to be here, fully committed to my teammates and this team."

She was spotted in Paris, France this week, as the San Antonio Spurs took on the Indiana Pacers in the French capital. He was spotted talking with Tony Parker and Chris Paul ahead of the first game.

Even though she put on solid performances to start the season, Phantom were unable to win a game in Week 1. In two games, Ionescu averaged 16.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game in 24.5 minutes per outing.

Phantom won first game of the season without Sabrina Ionescu

Despite not having Sabrina Ionescu on the lineup for Friday night's game against Mist BC, Phantom pulled off the win in a duel between two winless teams. Brittney Griner and Satou Sabally scored 29 points each, with the Mercury star shooting 14-from-18 from the field, grabbing nine rebounds, dishing one assist and stealing one ball.

Satou Sabally added three rebounds and one assist while shooting 10-from-17 from the field and 5-from-6 from beyond the arc. Another win against Lunar Owls tonight will improve the picture for Phantom, as they looked uncomfortable last week.

The game is scheduled at 7 p.m ET tonight.