Unrivaled’s Fast-Paced Debut: Standout Performances & Surprising Struggles

Unrivaled: The Good, The Bad, and The Exciting from Week One

by: D’Joumbarey A. Moreau

The inaugural season of Unrivaled has tipped off, and what a blast the league has been. First and foremost, the opening week was packed with great basketball, drama, impressive performances, and a few surprises. With a total of six games played throughout the league, there were plenty of winners and losers to break down. Let’s take a look at who came out on top and who left with more questions than answers.

The Good:

1. Jewell Loyd (Mist)

Guess who scored the first 30-point game in Unrivaled history? None other than the Gold Mamba, Jewell Loyd. She came out on fire in the opening game, leading Team Mist with a game-high 30 points, almost single-handedly defeating the Lunar Owls while keeping Mist in the driver’s seat throughout the game. Whether it was her sharp shooting, aggressive drives to the basket, or clutch defensive plays, Loyd demonstrated that she is one of the most versatile players in the game. It wasn’t enough to secure the win, but it was an emphatic reminder of why she’s considered one of the top players in the WNBA.

2. Skylar Diggins-Smith (Lunar Owls)

Hootie Hoo! Not only did Skylar Diggins-Smith deliver one of the fun battle cries in basketball history, “Hootie Hoo,” but she also dropped one of the most notable quotables of the season, “they didn’t check my baseball card.” Not only did she give us one of the memeable photos of the season, but she also delivered on the court. She hit the first game-winning shot in Unrivaled history, making her impact where it mattered the most—on the court. In Game 1, she exploded in the fourth quarter with 10 of her 21 points, including two game-winning three-pointers, to lift the Lunar Owls over Team Mist 84-80. Then, in her following game, she scored the game-winning free throw to give the Lunar Owls the best record in the league.

3. Rhyne Howard (Vinyl)

Rhyne Howard was unstoppable in the first game, putting up an impressive 33 points, shooting 53% from the field, and hitting six three-pointers. She was the offensive engine for Team Vinyl, and her scorching shooting display was a big reason they came out victorious against Team Rose. Her performance solidified her place as one of the most dominant players in Unrivaled. Howard also had 10/19 field goals and 6 rebounds in Vinyl’s debut, earning her Player of the Game. She followed that up with the game-winning three-pointer in Vinyl’s second game, cementing her reputation as a clutch performer.

4. Kayla McBride (Laces)

Kayla McBride has been on fire for the Laces, leading the charge in their blowout win over the Phantom with 28 points, including seven three-pointers. She showed her scoring prowess from beyond the arc, proving that she can carry a team with her elite shooting. The Laces were balanced across the board, but McBride was the standout offensive force. Across the two opening weekend games, McBride played a league-high 50 minutes while racking up 49 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists.

5. Alyssa Thomas (Laces)

Thomas was a problem all game for the Phantom with her strong defense and offensive production. She finished with 18 points and eight rebounds and was a matchup nightmare for the Phantom, constantly creating problems with her size and athleticism. Her versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple ways made her a key player for the Laces. A double-double coupled with the game-winning put-back earned Captain Alyssa Thomas the Golden Laces on Monday night as Player of the Game.

6. Dearica Hamby (Vinyl)

Dearica Hamby quietly but effectively made her presence felt for Team Vinyl across two games. Averaging 19.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while playing 12.0 minutes per game, Hamby was a force in limited time. Her tenacity on the boards (7.5 defensive rebounds per game) and ability to score efficiently made her a key contributor. Defensively, she chipped in with 1.5 steals and 1.0 block per game, showcasing her versatility. Hamby’s impact on both ends of the court proved invaluable for Vinyl’s early success in the league.

7. TNT

TNT Sports has proven to be a winner in hosting the debut of Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league. The opening night drew solid viewership, with the game between the Lunar Owls and Mist averaging 313,000 viewers, peaking at 364,000 during key moments. The second game, featuring Vinyl and Rose, also saw strong interest, averaging 311,000 viewers. This marked a notable achievement as the most-watched women’s basketball game on TNT. While these numbers fall short of the WNBA’s 2024 viewership, they still highlight the strong appeal of the league’s debut. TNT’s strategic scheduling allowed the games to avoid competing with major NBA matchups and drew in viewers with fast-paced, thrilling matchups, including a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback. The network’s ability to effectively launch Unrivaled indicates a promising future for the league, positioning TNT as a key partner in its early success.

The Bad:

1. Team Mist

Despite the individual brilliance of Jewell Loyd, averaging 20.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game, and Skylar Diggins-Smith, contributing 15.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, the Mist fell short. The Lunar Owls turned up their defense in the fourth quarter, and Diggins-Smith’s clutch shots sealed the win. Adding to the Mist’s struggles, DiJonai Carrington managed just 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 9.0 minutes per game, and Aaliyah Edwards contributed 5.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in her 6.0 minutes of play. Courtney Vandersloot, typically known for her playmaking, added only 8.0 points and 4.0 rebounds across two games, underscoring the Mist’s lack of depth and secondary scoring options.

2. Team Rose

While Team Rose showed heart in their comeback attempt against Vinyl, rallying from a 17-point deficit to get within two points in the final minutes, their effort ultimately fell short. Kahleah Copper, averaging 19.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, and Chelsea Gray, contributing 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, put up stellar performances. However, Angel Reese, despite her 11.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, but because of her lack of playing time, especially late in games, struggled to find a rhythm when it mattered most. Brittney Sykes added 11.0 points in 11.5 minutes per game but lacked the impact needed late in the game. Azurá Stevens contributed a solid 11.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, but the lack of consistency from the rest of the roster hindered their chances to secure a victory.

3. Phantom (Sabrina Ionescu & Satou Sabally)

The Phantom had an unfortunate weekend. Despite the excitement of seeing former Oregon teammates Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally back together, they simply couldn’t get anything going. Ionescu, while averaging 16.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, shot an inefficient 10-for-31 (32%) from the field over two games. Satou Sabally, contributing 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, struggled to establish herself offensively. The Laces took advantage of their offensive struggles, dominating the game wire-to-wire. The Phantom’s lack of chemistry left them looking outmatched and in need of serious adjustments moving forward.

4. Brittney Griner (Phantom)

Brittney Griner struggled with Alyssa Thomas guarding her in the post. Whether it was her inability to establish position or Thomas’ superior agility and defense, Griner couldn’t get comfortable throughout the game. Griner averaged just 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per game, far below her usual dominance in the paint. Her limited impact highlighted the Phantom’s challenges in creating opportunities against tougher defenses.

5. Lexie Hull

Lexie Hull’s limited minutes have kept her from contributing significantly to the Mist. Over two games, she has averaged just 4.5 minutes per game and has yet to make a significant impact, scoring only 1.5 points per game. Hull hasn’t shot the ball much, leaving questions about how the Mist plan to utilize her moving forward. Her lack of playing time and involvement in the offense underscores the team’s struggle with depth.

Initial Impressions:

Unrivaled has launched with a bang, positioning itself as an electrifying, fast-paced league that keeps fans on the edge of their seats. The innovative rules—like the fourth-quarter set score and one-shot free throws worth up to three points—create an atmosphere of constant urgency, making every possession matter. It’s refreshing to see the league partner with Turner Sports/TNT and Max Streaming, expanding access and ensuring that more fans can tune in to the action.

The Unrivaled experience presents a prime opportunity for players, particularly those on the Unrestricted Free Agent list like Jewell Loyd and Satou Sabally, to showcase their skills in front of an eager offseason audience. The league’s focus on top-tier facilities and player amenities only highlights its ambition to compete with the big leagues.

Looking ahead, it’ll be fascinating to see how the league evolves, with the competitive balance tightening and teams like the Lunar Owls and Vinyl continuing to shine.

Final Thoughts:

Unrivaled’s debut weekend gave us a thrilling preview of 3×3 basketball at its best, packed with jaw-dropping individual performances and unforgettable finishes. While some teams still have work to do, the potential is clear, and the league is set to deliver more excitement. As the season progresses, the intensity will only rise, and with stars like Loyd, Howard, and Collier lighting it up, the buzz around Unrivaled will only get louder.