Former NBA assistant coach Phil Handy didn’t hold back during a recent Unrivaled game, calling out Sabrina Ionescu and her teammates for their defensive struggles. The tension spilled over as WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Ionescu faced off in a heated matchup. Stewart’s team, Mist, emerged victorious over Ionescu’s Phantom, adding fuel to the fire.

The drama was captured with a tweet from a WNBA writer: “You’ve got people in front of you who Can. Not. Guard.” says Phil Handy to a bunch of people playing against WNBA teammates 😂.

Handy, known for his no-nonsense coaching style, didn’t mince words during the game. His comments highlighted the defensive lapses that ultimately led to Stewart’s Mist dominating Ionescu’s Phantom. 

This wasn’t just about one game. Handy’s sharp criticism and the heated battle between Stewart and Ionescu have ignited bigger conversations. For Stewart, taking down her WNBA teammate isn’t just a personal victory—it adds fuel to an already growing rivalry and raises the stakes for their next encounter.

Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart face off as Mist edge Phantom

The Mist is on fire. After stumbling to a 0-4 start, they have clawed their way back with two in a row, holding off the Phantom 64-61 Monday night. Breanna Stewart led the charge, stuffing the stat sheet with 19 points, 12 boards, and four assists. And she even iced the game at the line after Phantom coach Adam Harrington got tossed for a technical.

Stewart didn‘t do it by herself. Rickea Jackson chipped in for 17, Jewell Loyd added 13, and DiJonai Carrington dropped 11. The Mist are far too talented to be in the basement. On the other side of things, Brittney Griner posted 20 points and eight rebounds, while Satou Sabally added 22 points and seven rebounds for the Phantom. That wasn‘t enough to stop Stewart and her crew.

The game had everything: Stewart did a little bit of everything, Loyd heated up from deep, and the Mist built an 11-point lead by halftime. But then the Phantom came roaring back in the third-quarter eruption. Griner dominated inside, Sabally attacked the rim, and Sabrina Ionescu dished out dimes like a pro. The game was tied at 53 by the end of the quarter.

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It was a winner-takes-all situation, with a target score of 64. Stewart and the Mist responded well, but it wasn’t hard to notice the tension between her and Ionescu, her WNBA teammate. Could this rivalry spill over into the league season? One thing is for sure: Stewart is not just winning games. She‘s sending a message.