Unrivaled’s Debut: A New Era in Women’s Basketball Begins
Unrivaled, the groundbreaking 3-on-3 women’s pro basketball league, made its much-anticipated debut on Friday. This innovative league, co-founded by Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier and two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, features six teams competing over two months, culminating in a championship game on March 17.
The opening game saw Collier’s Lunar Owls triumph over Stewart’s Mist, thanks to a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback sealed by two clutch 3-pointers from Skylar Diggins-Smith. In the second game, Arike Ogunbowale‘s Vinyl secured a victory over Angel Reese‘s Rose.
Fans can look forward to two more games tomorrow: Phantom vs. Laces at 2 p.m. ET and Lunar Owls vs. Rose at 3 p.m.
Game 1 Takeaways: Lunar Owls 84, Mist 80
The inaugural game of Unrivaled certainly lived up to its hype, delivering an exhilarating experience for fans. The fast-paced nature of the game, played on a condensed full court rather than the traditional halfcourt used in FIBA 3×3, provided non-stop action that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
In this 3-on-3 format, defending as a team becomes significantly more challenging, allowing multiple players to catch fire throughout the game. For the Mist, Jewell Loyd and Rickea Jackson stood out, while the Lunar Owls were powered by Allisha Gray, Napheesa Collier, and Skylar Diggins-Smith.
The game was a showcase of relentless action, with fewer free throws and the added excitement of coaches being mic’d up during timeouts for fans watching from home. The league couldn’t have asked for a more thrilling conclusion to its first game, as Diggins-Smith’s impressive fourth quarter and game-winning shot led the Lunar Owls to an 84-80 victory.
The “winning score” format, which ensures each game ends on a game-winning shot, added a unique twist to the competition, reminiscent of street-ball. This clever innovation sets Unrivaled apart from other leagues like the WNBA and NBA. — ESPN’s Alexa Philippou
Unrivaled aimed to deliver a fast-paced, intense style of basketball, and Game 1 certainly delivered. The Lunar Owls’ victory was marked by unstoppable transition play, with shots going up within the first five seconds of the 18-second shot clock. If a defender was beaten, it almost guaranteed a bucket.
The fourth quarter was the most intense part of the game, with the pace quickening and the physicality increasing. The Mist needed 11 points to win, while the Lunar Owls required 17. Skylar Diggins-Smith’s game-winning 3-pointer sealed the victory for the Lunar Owls, prompting her teammates to storm the court as she celebrated with a triumphant “Hooty hoo” before leaving the floor. — ESPN’s Kendra Andrews
Game 2 Takeaways: Vinyl 79, Rose 73
Game 2, while more of a physical battle compared to the first, still offered standout individual performances. Rhyne Howard scored 33 points, Kahleah Copper added 24, and Chelsea Gray contributed 21. Despite Rose erasing a double-digit deficit to come within two points, Vinyl pulled away for a 79-73 victory, thanks to a crucial layup by Dearica Hamby.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how each of the six teams develops its identity and adapts to this unique 3-on-3 format. Will we witness more diverse play styles as the winter unfolds? Will teams rely heavily on isolation plays, or will they share the ball more as chemistry builds?
The atmosphere in Miami and the way spectators engaged with the event made Day One of Unrivaled a resounding success. All eyes are now on what Day Two will bring. — Alexa Philippou
Unrivaled’s opening night could have significant implications off the court as well. With WNBA free agency on the horizon, Miami has become a hotspot for player pitches. Players have acted as team representatives during training camp and the preseason, buying coffees for potential free agents and promoting their respective teams.
The event was attended by numerous WNBA team executives, including Dallas Wings coach Chris Koclans and assistant general manager Jazmine Thomas, Phoenix Mercury‘s Nate Tibbetts and Nick U’Ren, and Seattle Storm assistant coach Pokey Chatman. WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike was also present.
Players have likened the Unrivaled experience to being part of Team USA or the WNBA bubble, where women from different teams come together, learn from each other, and potentially recruit new teammates. Satou Sabally, who announced her departure from Dallas, mentioned that several players have bought her coffee, and Breanna Stewart suggested she would look good in New York seafoam. It will be fascinating to see if the time spent at Unrivaled influences free agency decisions and where players end up next season. — Kendra Andrews
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Originally Written by: ESPN staff
