Unrivaled’s Debut: A New Era in Women’s Basketball Begins with a Bang
Unrivaled, the groundbreaking 3-on-3 women’s pro basketball league, made its much-anticipated debut on Friday, and it was nothing short of spectacular. Co-founded by Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier and two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, this six-team league is set to run for two months, culminating in a championship game on March 17.
The opening night featured two thrilling games that set the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating season. In the first matchup, Collier’s Lunar Owls staged a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Stewart’s Mist, thanks to two clutch 3-pointers by Skylar Diggins-Smith. The second game saw Arike Ogunbowale‘s Vinyl triumph over Angel Reese‘s Rose.
Looking ahead, fans can expect more action with two games scheduled for 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 lived up to its hype, delivering a fast-paced and thrilling experience for fans. Unlike the traditional half-court setup of FIBA 3×3, Unrivaled’s games are played on a condensed full court, adding an extra layer of excitement and challenge for the players.
Defending in a 3-on-3 format is notoriously difficult, and this game was no exception. Multiple players found themselves on scoring streaks, with Jewell Loyd and Rickea Jackson shining for the Mist, while Allisha Gray, Napheesa Collier, and Skylar Diggins-Smith led the charge for the Lunar Owls. The game was a non-stop thrill ride, with fewer free throws and coaches mic’d up during timeouts for fans watching from home.
The league couldn’t have asked for a more dramatic ending to its first game. Diggins-Smith’s heroics in the fourth quarter, capped by a game-winning 3-pointer, secured an 84-80 victory for the Lunar Owls. This “winning score” format, reminiscent of street-ball, ensures every game ends with a game-winning shot, setting Unrivaled apart from other leagues. — ESPN’s Alexa Philippou
Unrivaled aimed to deliver a fast-paced, intense style of basketball, and Game 1 delivered in spades. The Lunar Owls’ transition play was nearly unstoppable, with shots going up within the first five seconds of the 18-second shot clock. If a defender was beaten, it was almost a guaranteed bucket.
The fourth quarter was the most intense, with the pace quickening and the physicality ramping up. The Mist needed 11 points to win, while the Lunar Owls needed 17. Diggins-Smith’s game-winning 3-pointer was the perfect climax, 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
While Game 2 was more of a grind compared to the first, it still featured standout performances and an exciting finish. Rhyne Howard scored 33 points, Kahleah Copper added 24, and Chelsea Gray contributed 21. Rose managed to erase a double-digit deficit to come within two points, but Vinyl pulled away for a 79-73 victory, sealed by a Dearica Hamby layup.
As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to see how each of the six teams develops its identity and adapts to this unique 3-on-3 format. Will we see more diverse play styles as the winter progresses? Will teams rely on isolation plays, or will they share the ball more as chemistry develops?
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 been acting as team proxies, buying coffees for potential free agents and selling them on 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 in attendance. Players have likened the experience to being part of Team USA or the WNBA bubble, where women from different teams come together, learn from each other, and potentially team up.
Satou Sabally, who announced she has played her last game in Dallas, mentioned that multiple players have bought her coffee, and Breanna Stewart suggested she would look good in New York seafoam. It will be interesting to see if the time spent at Unrivaled influences free agency decisions and where players end up next season. — Kendra Andrews
- Unrivaled’s debut was a thrilling success, setting the stage for an exciting season.
- Skylar Diggins-Smith’s game-winning 3-pointer was a highlight of the opening night.
- Unrivaled’s unique format promises to deliver memorable moments throughout the season.
Originally Written by: ESPN staff
