Friday night at Unrivaled delivered a basketball spectacle that left fans breathless. To suggest that the games could have been better would be, frankly, unrealistic given the sheer drama and skill on display. Let's dive into the action!
First up, a nail-biter between Laces and Phantom. The game was a true seesaw battle, with Laces ultimately prevailing with a score of 76-75 thanks to a clutch game-winning shot from Brittney Sykes.
Early on, Laces seemed to be in control, leading by 27-18 after the first quarter. But Phantom, fueled by Kelsey Plum's playmaking and Aliyah Boston's inside presence, mounted a comeback. They slowly chipped away at the lead, with Plum scoring crucial points. By the third quarter, the game was a one-possession affair. Phantom even took the lead for a brief moment.
Maddy Siegrist, Jordin Canada, and Naz Hillmon orchestrated an 8-0 run for Laces to regain control, but Plum and Boston kept Phantom in the fight. Going into the fourth quarter, Laces held a slim 65-60 advantage. The final score was set at 76 points. Phantom then ignited a 9-0 run to seize the lead. Alyssa Thomas of Laces responded with a tough three-point play. The Plum-Boston connection proved lethal again, giving Phantom a 73-70 edge. Jackie Young tied the game at 73 with a driving layup and a free throw. The next team to score three points would win.
Phantom scored an easy basket for Boston, giving them a two-point lead. But Laces had the ball, and they knew what they needed: a three-pointer. They executed to perfection, with Sykes sinking the game-winning shot.
Laces showcased a balanced offensive attack, with four players scoring in double figures. Thomas led the team with 19 points on an impressive 80% shooting percentage, along with six rebounds. Plum and Boston were the dynamic duo for Phantom, scoring 25 and 23 points, respectively.
Next, Hive finally broke through, defeating Rose with a score of 78-75. This result was surprising, especially since Hive had been winless and Rose entered the game undefeated. This game served as a reminder that anything can happen on any given night.
From the start, Hive was ready to compete. Ezi Magbegor and Kelsey Mitchell scored early, while Chelsea Gray of Rose reached the 400-point mark in Unrivaled, a league first. Hive took control in the second quarter, with Sonia Citron hitting three-pointers and Saniya Rivers scoring inside, giving Hive a double-digit lead. Gray scored late in the quarter to reduce the deficit.
It seemed Hive would run away with the game after a Mitchell three-pointer, but the defending champions had other plans. Gray and Azurá Stevens fueled a Rose comeback, outscoring Hive 13-4 in the third quarter. Hive maintained control, leading 66-54 going into the final quarter.
Rose started the final period with a 15-6 run, bringing the score to 72-69, with the winning score set at 77. Mitchell and Monique Billings put Hive up by four. Gray and Kahleah Copper kept the pressure on, making back-to-back three-pointers to put Rose at 75 points. After a Hive timeout, Mitchell drove inside and scored over Stevens to secure the victory.
Rose may have lost, but their stars shone. Gray led the team in points and assists, scoring 36 points and dishing out seven assists. Stevens had a very efficient game, scoring 17 on 8-for-13 shooting. Mitchell was the standout performer for Hive, scoring 24 points, nearly double any other player on her team.
With Hive's win, only the Lunar Owls remain winless. Rose's loss means no team is undefeated in Unrivaled, and they are now tied with Laces at 3-1 for the best record in the league.
What are your thoughts on these games? Did you expect these outcomes? Share your opinions in the comments below!
