New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (L) put up an impressive 22-point performance despite a loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday in Las Vegas. This photograph captured by John Mac/Wikimedia Commons showcases her dedication on the court.
Aug. 18 (UPI) — In a surprising turn of events, Sabrina Ionescu, the guard for the New York Liberty, requested the thief who allegedly stole her “insoles” return her Sabrina 1 signature shoes. The incident took place between games at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.
Ionescu revealed that her game-worn Nike shoes went missing after the Liberty secured an 82-63 victory over the Las Vegas Aces, successfully clinching the Commissioner’s Cup championship on Tuesday. However, the Liberty faced defeat in the subsequent game against the Aces, with a final score of 88-75 in favor of Las Vegas.
“Never did I imagine that my shoes would be stolen from an opposing arena,” Ionescu conveyed through a tweet on Thursday night. “Kindly return my insoles. R.I.P. to my Sabrina 1s.”
The shoes themselves can be easily replaced, but the personalized insoles designed to provide cushioning specifically for Ionescu’s feet are irreplaceable.
Ionescu further shared two photos displaying the missing shoes. One pair exhibits the word “quack” and features a green and yellow colorway as a tribute to her time with the Oregon Ducks basketball team.
The other shoes, in black, gray, and gold, bear the words “Thanks” and “Uncle Phil,” paying homage to Nike co-founder Phil Knight.
During Tuesday’s game, Ionescu donned her Oregon Ducks Sabrina 1s, while she debuted the Thanks Uncle Phil signature shoes last Sunday in Indianapolis.
A spokesperson for MGM Resorts, the owner of the arena, informed ESPN that the matter is currently being investigated by the police.
March saw the introduction of Ionescu’s first signature shoe by Nike. The Sabrina 1s, a unisex design, is scheduled for release on September 1.
In Tuesday’s victory, Ionescu contributed 12 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Despite the loss on Thursday, she still managed to lead the game with 22 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Additionally, Ionescu showcased her exceptional shooting skills by making six 3-pointers, establishing a new record for the most games with at least six 3-pointers in a single season in the history of the WNBA.
This season, the two-time All-Star has maintained an average of 17 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. The Liberty (24-7) currently occupy the second position in the WNBA rankings, closely trailing the first-place Aces (28-3).
Next up, the Liberty will face off against the Phoenix Mercury (9-21) in Phoenix, with the game slated to begin at 10 p.m. on Friday.
