If the 2025 WNBA season could be summed up in one word, it would be injuries. Fan-favorite stars fell one after another, and Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally was among them. With the season now over, fans looked to Unrivaled’s January tip-off as a chance to see her back on the court, but just as that return seemed close, a fresh update has complicated things further.

The 6′ 4″ star has been ruled out indefinitely from Unrivaled, due to lingering concussion symptoms, according to the latest press release by the league. Unrivaled also stated that Sabally is not yet out for the entire season and will be reevaluated later.

Satou Sabally sustained the concussion during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals against the Las Vegas Aces on October 8th. In the fourth quarter of the game, and only 4:26 remaining on the clock, Sabally went after a rebound and collided with an Aces defender, her head striking the player’s knee as she fell to the floor.

She stayed down on the floor for several moments before trying to get up, visibly unsteady on her feet. She was later helped back to the floor and escorted to the locker room by a teammate and a member of the Mercury’s medical staff.

Sabally was then ruled out for Game 4 of the series, a decision that came as the Aces went on to complete the sweep and secure their third WNBA championship in four years. Since then, she has remained in a concussion protocol, with no clear timetable for her return.

The timing of the setback is especially tough given the season Sabally was coming off, and just a month ago, she was mentioned as one of the top 10 players to watch at Unrivaled. In just her first year with the Mercury after spending five seasons with the Dallas Wings, the 27-year-old emerged as a cornerstone piece for the franchise.

She averaged 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, helping lead the team to a 27–17 record and a return to the WNBA Finals.

With Satou Sabally sidelined, Unrivaled has moved quickly to fill the vacancy, and the Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes has been named as her replacement on the Phantom BC roster. Hayes, who previously played for Laces BC in the last season, averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game and brings veteran experience to a team looking for stability.

However, Sabally’s absence carries more weight than just a name swap. Last season, she was one of Phantom’s most reliable contributors, giving the team a consistent scoring and rebounding presence even as results failed to follow.

A look at Satou Sabally’s impact last season

Her exit is not just a lineup change for Phantom BC; it removes one of the team’s most reliable on-court producers from Unrivaled’s inaugural season. Serving as a captain during the league’s first-ever campaign in 2025, the Mercury forward was a steady presence for her team.

Across the regular season, Sabally averaged 15.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while logging just 14 minutes per contest. Her scoring ability, 38.5% shooting from beyond the arc, placed her among the league’s most efficient three-point shooters as she emerged as one of the best offensive options in multiple matchups for her team.

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And when it came to standing out on an individual level, she also made noise in Unrivaled’s midseason 1-on-1 Tournament, where she advanced to the third round after defeating DiJonai Carrington before eventually being eliminated by Arike Ogunbowale.

However, individual production didn’t translate to the team’s overall success. Despite featuring high-profile names like Sabrina Ionescu and Brittney Griner, Phantom BC finished the regular season with a 4–10 record and failed to qualify for the playoffs.

So, Phantom BC isn’t just losing a captain; it’s losing someone who started 13 of 14 games. It’s losing spacing, scoring balance, and a proven performer in Unrivaled’s unique structure, making her status a far more significant blow. But fans will be keeping their eye on Hayes to see how she adapts to the system and fills the void left by Sabally’s absence.