Fans Suspect Beef After Awkward Marina Mabrey and Chicago Sky Interaction
The Chicago Sky are in Connecticut on Friday, in preparation for a WNBA game against the Connecticut Sun.
This marks the first time that Sun player Marina Mabrey is facing off against her former team since Chicago adhered to her request to be traded on July 17.
Two days after that trade was finalized, the Chicago Sun-Times published an article that included quotes from Mabrey which alluded to her requesting a trade because she wasn't content with her role in Chicago.
If members of the Sky were already irked by her trade request, and ill sentiment between them and Mabrey must have increased once Mabrey told a reporter during WNBA All-Star Weekend that, "[I'm excited to] be on a championship team or someone that can compete for a championship.
"That's gonna be something I'm not used to. I've never been in an environment like that, so I'm excited," she continued.
Guess that stat padding in a game that was already over was the last straw. pic.twitter.com/894LTV4vWT
— Bj 🎞️ (@fettyfilm) July 19, 2024
The Sky arrived at Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday for a pregame shootaround. Members of the Sun were already on the court; which prompted what appeared to be an awkward exchange between Mabrey and her former teammates.
Not to be messy but y’all peep what I see 👀 pic.twitter.com/tmUjTod1eY
— M ⁵ (@moooopal) August 23, 2024
In the above video, Mabrey can be seen facing away from the camera while Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Chennedy Carter, and various other members of the Sky walk right past her. Mabrey only interacts with Sky player Elizabeth Williams before walking off the court.
This cold interaction has convinced fans that there are still bad feelings between Mabrey and her ex-teammates.
"just confirmed it’s beef from now on she a big opp now," one X user wrote in response to the video.
"MM not acknowledging her former teammates?? Oh we’re getting some negativity tonight," added another.
MM not acknowledging her former teammates?? Oh we’re getting some negativity tonight 😁😁😁 https://t.co/4phw75sEoT
— Sweetpea Golightly Fan Account (@LanePiffin) August 23, 2024
With this much tension in the air hours before Friday's game begins, there's a chance this suspected beef might come to a head once Mabrey shares the court with her former teammates.
Grant Young covers Women’s Basketball, the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco (USF), where he also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and played on USF’s Division I baseball team for five years. However, he now prefers Angel Reese to Angels in the Outfield.