Week 3 of Unrivaled started with a pair of high-intensity, fast-paced games. Game One featured Rose versus Phantom and the second featured the two remaining unbeaten teams, Laces versus Lunar Owls.
In the first matchup, of the ten players that played, eight out of ten were in double figures, with Sabrina Ionescu leading all scorers with 32 points. Ionescu and teammate Satou Sabally, who scored 13 points, were responsible for 10 of Phantom’s 12 three-point shots, with Ionescu scoring seven and Sabally three. Rose had a tough night from three, going only 3 -16. Azurá Stevens led Rose with 19 points, followed by Chelsea Gray with 16, Angel Reese with 13, and Kahleah Copper with 10. Lexie Hull scored five.
Rose was without Brittney Sykes, who was out with an injury. Her scoring ability was an obvious void for Rose. For Phantom, Natasha Cloud scored 11 and Brittney Griner scored 12. Marina Mabrey has yet to play for Phantom.
The game stayed fairly tight in the first quarter, which ended with Rose up 19 – 18. By the half Phantom had picked up some steam, and ended the second quarter up 42 – 36. In the third quarter, Rose got as close as 2 points on a two-point shot and free throw by Reese. In the untimed fourth quarter, Rose pulled within three points on a Hull two-point shot but would get no closer.
Phantom ended on an 11 – 2 run, with Sabally scoring the winning three-point shot. This game Phantom their second win, now at 2 – 3, with Rose dropping to 1 – 4. Of the two teams, I would give Phantom a slight edge in the experience column, although Kahleah Copper and Chelsea Gray anchor Rose.
SABALLY MAKES A 3️⃣ TO WIN IT FOR PHANTOM 👻
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) February 1, 2025
Other than the three-point shot imbalance, there was some parity between the teams. Rose led in rebounds 33 – 31, Phantom assisted on 17 shots while Rose assisted on 8, and Phantom turned the ball over 10 times to Rose’s 4. So the three-pointers won the game for Phantom. However, it was a well-paced, energetic game, and fun to watch. Even though you could read the frustration of some of the Rose players, they were having fun and didn’t let up. Phantom simply played a little better.
A Matchup of Undefeated Unrivaled Squads
The second game between Laces and Lunar Owls was much anticipated, as both teams came in unbeaten. The firepower on each side was palpable, with Lynx teammates Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride facing off. Add in Allisha Gray and Skylar Diggins-Smith, and you’ve got a formidable trio for Lunar Owls. Jackie Young made her first appearance for Laces, and with Tiffany Hayes and Stefanie Dolson, provided a very strong attack.
From the beginning, these teams played with an intensity that was thick in the air. Both McBride and Collier played like opponents and not as teammates. Each ended the game with 26 points, but McBride made 6 out of 8 threes, while Collier only took one three-point shot and missed. Laces doubled up Lunar Owls on threes, going 8 – 18 to 4 – 11. The game got off to an even start, but early on Laces started to pull away. Owls found a way to keep it close, and the quarter ended 20 – 17 Laces.
The second quarter was much the same, although Laces pulled away some late in the quarter on shots by Young and McBride, and the half ended with Laces up 49 – 41.
In the third, Laces opened up a 12-point lead, and Collier got in deep foul trouble. But the Owls went on a run to tie the game at 62 each. Things stayed even until McBride made a two-point shot, and the quarter ended 64 – 62 Laces.
The fourth quarter opened with a Young three-point shot, but made shots by Collier and Courtney Williams brought the Owls to within three points. A made two-point and a foul shot by Diggins-Smith tied the game at 71, with a winning score of 75 within reach of both teams. Made shots by Collier and Young tied it at 73. A foul on Tiffany Hayes sent Diggins-Smith to the free throw line, where the two-point free throw gave Lunar Owls the win.
THE LUNAR OWLS ADVANCE 5-0 👑
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) February 1, 2025
DROP A 🦉 IF YOUR TEAM IS UNDEFEATED ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/GoY8qKyBly
So far in this young season, this particular game was the best one. Great players on both teams playing great basketball. There was drama, there were tense moments, and there were stunning shots. From everyone. Each player contributed, and this game was the epitome of team effort. They don’t face each other again until late February. That will be a good one.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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