Unrivaled's Friday night showdown was an absolute thriller, and it's safe to say that asking for more would be downright unreasonable! The opening game between Laces and Phantom was a seesaw battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Laces started strong, but Phantom fought back with some impressive plays, especially from Kelsey Plum and Aliyah Boston. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Laces leading by a slim margin going into the fourth quarter. But here's where it gets controversial... Phantom mounted a 9-0 run, taking the lead! However, Laces' Alyssa Thomas stepped up, scoring three crucial points. The game was tied at 73, and the tension was palpable.
Phantom's Plum and Boston duo connected again, giving them a slight edge. But Jackie Young of Laces responded with a driving layup, and the game was tied once more! It all came down to the final possession, and Brittney Sykes delivered a game-winning shot for Laces, securing the victory by a single point.
And this is the part most people miss... Laces' win was a team effort, with four players scoring in double digits. Alyssa Thomas led the way with 19 points and six rebounds. On the other side, Phantom's Plum and Boston dominated, scoring 25 and 23 points, respectively.
But the night wasn't over yet! Hive, the underdogs, pulled off a shocking upset against the previously unbeaten Rose. Ezi Magbegor and Kelsey Mitchell got Hive off to a strong start, but Chelsea Gray kept Rose in the game with her incredible performance. Hive took control in the second quarter, but Rose fought back, with Gray and Azurá Stevens leading the charge.
Hive maintained their lead going into the final quarter, but Rose wasn't done yet. They mounted a comeback, cutting the deficit to just three points. It was a true test of nerves, but Hive held on, thanks to Mitchell's clutch performance.
Rose's stars, Gray and Stevens, put on a show, with Gray scoring 36 points and dishing out seven assists. Stevens was also efficient, scoring 17 points. For Hive, Mitchell was the standout player, scoring 24 points, almost double that of her teammates.
This win finally got Hive on the board, leaving Lunar Owls as the only winless team. Rose's loss means that no team in Unrivaled is unbeaten, with Laces and Rose now tied for the best record at 3-1.
So, who do you think will emerge as the ultimate champion? Will Hive continue their winning streak, or will Lunar Owls finally break their losing streak? The competition is fierce, and the games are getting more intense. Stay tuned, and let's discuss your predictions in the comments!
