Ionescu says her shoes were stolen at opposing team's arena

New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu issued a public plea Thursday for the return of her sneakers, which she says were stolen from an opposing arena.

In a post on social media, Ionescu specifically requested to have the insoles that were in her Sabrina 1 shoes returned. The insoles were custom-made for the Liberty star to address her previous injuries, according to WNBA insider Khristina Williams. Ionescu played just three games in 2020 before an ankle sprain caused her to miss the rest of her rookie season.

Ionescu didn't specify exactly when and from which arena her shoes were taken. However, she reportedly left her shoes in a locked room at the Michelob Ultra Arena - home of the Las Vegas Aces - that only select personnel had access to following New York's win over the Aces in the Commissioner's Cup final Tuesday. The Liberty and Aces were again scheduled to play Thursday in Las Vegas after a shared off-day Wednesday.

Liberty staff intend to work with security at the arena in hopes of identifying the person responsible, according to Williams.

Ionescu was first announced as a Nike athlete in March. Her debut signature sneaker, the Sabrina 1, is set to release September 1.