Skylar Diggins-Smith and the Lunar Owls: A Force to Be Reckoned With in Unrivaled
Skylar Diggins-Smith took the court on Saturday with a mission. Her team, the Lunar Owls, had just experienced their first loss less than 24 hours earlier, and the determined guard was set on proving that they were still the team to beat in the Unrivaled league. And boy, did she deliver that message loud and clear. Diggins-Smith put on a show, scoring 25 points, dishing out 5 assists, and snagging 2 steals, leading the Lunar Owls to a victory over the Laces and securing the first playoff spot in the league’s inaugural season.
As she left the court, Diggins-Smith shouted, “It’s still Hootie Hoo,” echoing the Lunar Owls’ victory cry. In an interview with ESPN, she confidently stated, “I do consider myself the most competitive player here. You always have a chance to come back, to make the game competitive. … It gives me the streetball mindset I played with as a kid.”
Currently sitting at the top of Unrivaled’s standings with a 9-1 record, the Lunar Owls are in a strong position as the regular season winds down. With less than three weeks remaining, the league, which launched on January 17 and is being played exclusively in Miami, is heating up. Traditionally, WNBA players have spent their offseasons playing overseas, but this new 3-on-3 league, founded by All-Stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, offers over three dozen players a domestic option.
Diggins-Smith, who usually stays in the United States to train during the offseason, was eager to join Unrivaled from the start. “I look at this as an opportunity to get some good bump coming off of maternity leave last season, not being 100 percent happy with my season,” said the Seattle Storm starter. “I don’t think of this as any time off or rest.”
Her performance this season has been nothing short of spectacular. Diggins-Smith has hit a league-high five game-winning shots and is averaging 17.0 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds, helping the Lunar Owls maintain a three-game lead in the standings. With the top four teams advancing to the postseason, every club has four remaining contests before the Unrivaled semifinals on March 16.
“It’s been really intense, especially as people have started to see the writing on the wall,” Diggins-Smith said. “We understand there is a target on our back.”
Four Things to Watch as Unrivaled’s Regular Season Winds Down
- Dominance of the Lunar Owls: The Lunar Owls are averaging a league-high 80.2 points, nearly 10 points more than the second-highest scoring team, the Vinyl. Collier leads Unrivaled in scoring at 26.6 PPG, and teammate Allisha Gray ranks fourth at 20.1 PPG.
- Team Chemistry: The Lunar Owls attribute their success to their collective buy-in and familiarity. “The level of compete we have, the selflessness … any one of us could go off for 30 on any given night,” Collier said. “That meshes really well.”
- Staying Focused: While other players have left Miami for various reasons, the core of the Lunar Owls has remained committed to staying in town and focusing on their game.
- Learning from Losses: The Lunar Owls’ lone loss to the Rose served as a learning opportunity and extra motivation for their championship aspirations. “The Rose put a battery back in our back,” Williams said. “We are going to continue to stack our days.”
Which Team is the Lunar Owls’ Biggest Competition?
Angel Reese and the Rose have emerged as strong contenders to challenge the Lunar Owls in the playoffs. Reese’s impressive performance, including a 22-point, 21-rebound game, has made her a standout player in Unrivaled. The Chicago Sky star leads the league with 11.7 rebounds per game and is one of just four players to average a double-double.
Reese attributes her success to her training with Naismith Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie and her partnership with Las Vegas Aces point guard Chelsea Gray. Their two-woman game has been crucial to the Rose’s success.
What Other Teams are in the Playoff Race?
The Laces, currently in third place with a 5-5 record, are another team to watch. However, they have struggled recently, losing four of their past five games due to injuries, including to perennial WNBA MVP contender Alyssa Thomas. For the Laces to regain their rhythm, much will depend on Kayla McBride, whose 23.9 points is the second-best average in the league.
The Vinyl, at 4-6, hold the fourth and final playoff spot. Their playoff hopes rest primarily on Dearica Hamby, who ranks third in the league with 21.3 PPG and also averages 9.8 rebounds. She has received help from Arike Ogunbowale and Rhyne Howard.
How Will Injuries Impact the Stretch Run?
Injuries have been a significant factor in Unrivaled, with several players sidelined. The Laces, in particular, have been hit hard, losing key players like Jackie Young and Tiffany Hayes. To address this, Unrivaled has created a “relief player pool” to provide reinforcements as needed.
Despite these challenges, the Laces are slowly integrating their injured players back into the lineup, hoping to regain their early-season form. “Before all of these injuries, we were undefeated and we were beating teams pretty good,” Thomas said. “For us, it’s getting back into a rhythm.”
Originally Written by: Kendra Andrews
