Sabrina Ionescu Makes SGA Joke When Asked About Breanna Stewart Drawing 16 Fouls

New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart drew 16 fouls en route to an 82-77 win over the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday.

After the game, a reporter asked players and head coach Sandy Brondello if they had ever seen a player draw 16 fouls. Brondello began answering the question, but Ionescu then quietly responded with "SGA."

SGA, of course, is Oklahoma City Thunder point guard and NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has led the NBA in made free throws each of the past three years. Opposing fans who aren't thrilled with this notion have derisively chanted "free throw merchant" at his direction.

The chants have gotten louder this year as Gilgeous-Alexander won MVP and led the Thunder to the Western Conference Finals. Of note, though, SGA actually attempted fewer free throws this year (669 in 76 games) than he did in 2022-23 (739 in 68 games). It's a fact he notably mentioned when asked about the "free throw merchant" label recently.

As for Stewart, she hasn't exactly been racking up SGA free throw numbers. She attempted 25 free throws over her first four games before adding 19 in the win over Golden State. It was part of a great game for Stewart, who had 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals. She shot 6-of-12 from the field and 15-of-19 from the free throw line.

As far as SGA and Stewart's next steps, SGA and the Thunder await the winner of the Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks Eastern Conference Finals series in the NBA Finals. Meanwhile, Stewart and the defending champion Liberty are 5-0 as they visit the Washington Mystics on Friday.