Sabrina Ionescu continues to play some of the best basketball of her career. As she makes her way through season No. 6 in the WNBA, Ionescu hasn't just improved statistically on the court, she's also let her personality as a leader shine through. Saturday's matchup between her New York Liberty and the Los Angeles Sparks was a prime example of both.
Sabrina Ionescu Interaction With Referee Raises Eyebrows During Liberty-Sparks originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Sabrina Ionescu continues to play some of the best basketball of her career. As she makes her way through season No. 6 in the WNBA, Ionescu hasn't just improved statistically on the court, she's also let her personality as a leader shine through.
Saturday's matchup between her New York Liberty and the Los Angeles Sparks was a prime example of both. Ionescu dropped 30 points on 12-for-22 shooting from the field against the Sparks, her third 30-point effort of the season. Ionescu now has 16 career 30-point games.
While her numbers in the box score were impressive on Saturday, it was a moment in the third quarter that has everyone raising their eyebrows.
With just over three minutes to play in the third quarter, Ionescu took a hand off from center, Jonquel Jones near the top of the key. As Jones proceeded to set a pick for Ionescu, Ionescu drained a 3-pointer. The referee closest to the play immediately waived off the shot, calling an illegal screen on Jones.
Ionescu was instantly enraged, pulling out some of that aforementioned personality. While the microphones from the broadcast didn't pick up Ionescu's words, it appears she's requesting a technical foul from the referee, "Tech me, tech me!"
Sab flashed on the ref oh my 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/un2knjKQQZ
— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) July 27, 2025
Fans rushed to social media to provide their reactions, as Ionescu's actions seem to have raised some eyebrows.
"Tell 'em Sabrina god I can't stand the refs," one user said.
"She's literally screaming at him to give her a tech," another user said.
"you can see her yelling "TECH ME, TECH ME" I know who my goat is," another fan said.
"She said “T Me” she a real one in my book," another fan posted.
"Damn, Sab is pissed. I bet you she told him off in two languages. Lol," another user posted.
The Liberty would go on to lose to the Sparks 101-99 on a buzzer-beating, game-winning shot by Rickea Jackson. The loss snapped the Liberty's five-game winning streak.
The Liberty still hold the second best record in the WNBA at 17-7. Their next game comes against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings on Monday at 8:00 p.m. EDT on ESPN.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
