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(Lead image via Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

It seems someone is playing dirty as Sabrina Ionescu reveals that two personal pairs of her signature Nike Sabrina 1 were stolen from her at an opposing arena.

The New York Liberty star shared the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, and even politely asked for her insoles back saying, “Never thought I would get my shoes stolen from an opposing arena… Please just bring me my insoles back. RIP to my Sabrina 1s.”

Although Ionescu did not state which arena her shoes were stolen at, the Aces’ Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas and the Fever’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse Arena in Indianapolis, are likely the suspected locations based on the photos that Ionescu shared on X, which featured the Nike Sabrina 1 PE “Oregon Ducks” and the Nike Sabrina 1 PE “Uncle Phil.”

On August 13, Ionescu unveiled her “Uncle Phil” PE as the New York Liberty played against the Indiana Fever.

Then, on August 15, Ionescu debuted the “Oregon Ducks” colorway at the final of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup against the Las Vegas Aces.

The Liberty have not played a game since the Commissioner’s Cup final on Tuesday, but the team is set to reface the Aces on court later today, August 17.

Since Ionescu’s post on X, a source revealed to WNBA reporter Khristina Williams that the Michelob Ultra Arena security is planning to review footage to see if they can find out what happened to Ionescu’s shoes.

While getting a new pair of Nike Sabrina 1s won’t be a problem for Ionescu, the stolen sneakers held sentimental value that can’t be replaced.

The Nike Sabrina 1 PE “Uncle Phil” was dedicated to Nike co-founder Phil Knight, who Ionescu shares a close relationship with as the chairman emeritus has supported her throughout her professional and collegiate career.

Knight and Ionescu are both University of Oregon alumni, another foundational bond in their relationship and also the inspiration behind the Nike Sabrina 1 PE “Oregon Ducks.”

Aside from its academics, the University of Oregon is known for having some of the best PE sneakers around and being that Ionescu is a former Duck, sneaker and sports fans alike had been anticipating an UO colorway since the announcement of the Nike Sabrina 1 back in March.

This is Ionescu’s first signature PE “Oregon Ducks” colorway and the potential resale value could be astronomical being that UO colorways are highly coveted, but it might be a hard sell since the rare 1-of-1 will presumably paint you guilty.

For those looking to purchase their own pair of Nike Sabrina 1s, both the “Ionic” and “Spark” colorways drop on September 1, 2023.

Nice Kicks will continue to update as this story develops. For more sneaker news and release dates, follow @NiceKicks on Instagram.

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