MEDLEY, Fla. — As the third week of play begins, only one team stands undefeated, while one of the league’s top stars showcased an impressive performance.

Napheesa Collier scored 26 points even after facing foul trouble, while Skylar Diggins-Smith sank the winning free throw, leading the Lunar Owls to a 75-73 victory over the Laces in a clash of unbeaten teams on Friday night.

Yet, the spotlight belonged to Sabrina Ionescu, who delivered a remarkable 38 points, along with nine rebounds and eight assists, helping the Phantom secure a 75-63 win against the Rose. It was Ionescu’s first game back without a splint on her right thumb, which she hurt in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals last October. She shot an impressive 7-of-10 from beyond the arc after skipping last weekend’s games for the NBA Paris Games.

“I felt great. I was really eager to get back into the game. It’s always thrilling to play live and be in a competitive environment,” Ionescu shared after the match.

“This was my first game without that splint. That’s a significant milestone for me, regardless of the game’s outcome. It’s a big step in my rehab, and I was thrilled to shoot normally again.”

Satou Sabally hit the decisive 3-pointer, contributing 13 points to ensure the Phantom’s record improved to 2-3. Earlier on Friday, there were reports that Sabally was traded to the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, despite the Liberty’s interest in bringing in her former college teammate from Oregon.

“I’m really happy for her and can’t wait to see where this journey takes her,” Ionescu remarked about Sabally’s expected trade to Phoenix from the Dallas Wings.

While Ionescu showcased her talent, Collier and the Lunar Owls made an incredible comeback.

Collier, who leads Unrivaled in points and rebounds, faced her fifth foul with 4:48 left in the third quarter. But the Lunar Owls managed to finish the third quarter strong with a 15-8 run, coming back from a 12-point deficit, and took the lead thanks to Collier’s layup making it 73-71 in the final quarter.

After Diggins-Smith was fouled while driving to the basket, she successfully made a free throw to clinch the game. According to Unrivaled rules, players take only one free throw, with the points awarded being either two or three based on the foul.

This marked the third game-clinching shot for Diggins-Smith in five league matches, earning her the nickname “Sky, the finisher” from teammate Courtney Williams.

“Sky changes everything with her defense. I believe we all thrive off that,” said Williams. “When she steps onto the court with that determined look, we know it’s game time. She makes things much easier for all of us.”

In the Laces’ first defeat of the season, Kayla McBride tallied 26 points while Tiffany Hayes contributed 17. The Laces missed Alyssa Thomas, who was resting a knee injury. Jackie Young made an impact by scoring nine of her 12 points in the fourth quarter during her debut for Unrivaled after her knee injury.

For the Rose, Azurá Stevens scored 19 points, Chelsea Gray added 16 points with six assists, and Angel Reese contributed 13 points and seven rebounds, leaving the Rose with a 1-4 record following their defeat to the Phantom.

Breanna Stewart and the Mist (0-4) are seeking their first victory against Rhyne Howard, Arike Ogunbowale, and the Vinyl (2-2) in the first game on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. The second game at 7:30 p.m. ET will feature the Laces against the Rose.

To wrap up Unrivaled’s third weekend, the Phantom will compete against the Mist on Monday, with the Lunar Owls taking on the Vinyl in the second match.

Final Score: Lunar Owls 75, Laces 73

Skylar Diggins-Smith sealed the game with a free throw, while Napheesa Collier added 26 points, ensuring the Lunar Owls maintained their undefeated status in Unrivaled with a 75-73 victory against the Laces on Friday night.

Having trailed by 12 points, the Lunar Owls rallied to win, ending with a record of 5-0 as Diggins-Smith signaled for triumph after the match.

Collier, leading in both scoring and rebounding, recorded 26 points and seven rebounds but faced foul issues, getting her fifth foul early in the third quarter. Nevertheless, the Lunar Owls closed the third quarter with a strong run of 15-8.

Collier scored to put the Lunar Owls in front with a score of 73-71, while the Laces saw Jackie Young stepping up, scoring nine of her total 12 points in the fourth quarter.

Kayla McBride led all scorers with 26 points, and Tiffany Hayes finished with 17 points for the Laces, who now have a record of 4-1.

Score Update: Laces 64, Lunar Owls 62 after the Third Quarter

Target Winning Score: 75 points

As the Laces cling to a 64-62 lead heading into the fourth quarter, Kayla McBride stands as the top scorer with 26 points. Both teams are aiming for a target score of 75 points.

Napheesa Collier acquired her fifth foul during the game, but the Lunar Owls managed to finish the third quarter with a 15-8 run to stay in contention.

Halftime Score: Laces 49, Lunar Owls 41 after the Second Quarter

At the halftime buzzer, Kayla McBride hit a 3-pointer that pushed the Laces to a 49-41 lead over the Lunar Owls.

McBride already scored 21 points while Tiffany Hayes contributed 15 for the Laces in this matchup of unbeaten teams, both with a record of 4-0.

Napheesa Collier led the Lunar Owls with 18 points but had accumulated four fouls. Allisha Gray and Skylar Diggins-Smith contributed 11 and 6 points, respectively, with both dealing with foul trouble as well.

First Quarter Score: Laces 20, Lunar Owls 17

Tiffany Hayes scored nine points, while Kayla McBride added five, leading the Laces to a 20-17 advantage at the end of the first quarter against the Lunar Owls.

Napheesa Collier scored eight points, while Allisha Gray added five for the Lunar Owls.

Final Score: Phantom 75, Rose 63

MEDLEY, Fla. – In the first of two games Friday night, Sabrina Ionescu delivered a standout performance with 32 points, while Satou Sabally hit the game-winning 3-pointer, allowing the Phantom to secure a 75-63 victory over the Rose.

Ionescu shot an impressive 7-of-10 from the three-point range, dishing out nine rebounds and seven assists, helping the Phantom enhance their record to 2-3. This was Ionescu’s return game after missing the Phantom’s previous two matches to represent at the NBA Paris Games.

“I focused on getting open and finding great opportunities to score,” Ionescu expressed post-game.

Sabally contributed 13 points and six rebounds on a day when trade news sent her to the Phoenix Mercury, according to ESPN. Brittney Griner also added 14 points and four rebounds in the Phantom’s win.

In the loss for the Rose, Azurá Stevens recorded 19 points, Chelsea Gray finished with 16 points and six assists, while Angel Reese had 13 points and seven boards, leaving the Rose at a 1-4 record in Unrivaled.

Score Update: Phantom 75, Rose

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Phantom 62, Rose 54 at the End of Third Quarter

Target Score to Win: 73

Sabrina Ionescu has reached 24 points, including a three-point floater just before the third quarter ended, leading the Phantom to a 62-54 advantage against the Rose. The target score for victory is set at 73 points.

Azurá Stevens contributes 16 points, while Chelsea Gray adds 14 points along with six assists for the Rose.

Halftime Score: Phantom 42, Rose 36

Sabrina Ionescu made three 3-point shots and scored all 13 of her points in the second quarter, enabling the Phantom to hold a 42-36 lead over the Rose at halftime.

Satou Sabally has tallied 10 points; Brittney Griner collected eight points and four rebounds, alongside Ionescu’s four assists.

Azurá Stevens is the leading scorer for the Rose with 15 points, followed by Chelsea Gray with 12 points and five assists, and Angel Reese with eight points at halftime.

First Quarter Score: Rose 19, Phantom 18

Chelsea Gray scored seven points while Azurá Stevens added six points, putting the Rose ahead 19-18 over the Phantom by the conclusion of the first quarter.

Brittney Griner has recorded six points; Satou Sabally and Natasha Cloud each contributed five points for the Phantom. Sabrina Ionescu is leading all players with four assists.

How to Watch Unrivaled This Friday Night

You can catch Unrivaled on TNT via cable in the United States and on TSN+ in Canada. Additionally, it will be livestreamed on Max, YouTube, and Sling TV.

Watch: Unrivaled games are available on Sling TV.

Preview: Lunar Owls (4-0) vs. Laces (4-0)

Napheesa Collier, a standout for the Minnesota Lynx and co-founder of Unrivaled, has been exceptionally performing, averaging 28.5 points and 13 rebounds in the last two weeks.

Along with Allisha Gray and Skylar Diggins-Smith, the Lunar Owls have made a strong start at 4-0, leading the league in points scored per game (78.0) and assists (14.3) while committing the fewest turnovers (4.8).

For the Laces, McBride (25.5 ppg) and Hayes (20.0 ppg) rank as the second and third top scorers in Unrivaled, with the Laces also starting at 4-0. They rank second in scoring (75.8) and first in rebounding (39.0).

Preview: Rose (1-3) vs. Phantom (1-3)

Both the Rose and Phantom secured their first wins of the season last weekend against the Mist, but currently hold 1-3 records.

Angel Reese scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds in her last game, a 71-66 defeat against the Laces last week, while both Griner and Sabally scored 29 points each during their win over the Mist.

Sabrina Ionescu is set to return after attending the NBA Paris Games last week.

Sabally ranks sixth in Unrivaled with an average of 17.8 points per game, while Kahleah Copper leads the Rose with 16.0 points per game, placing her at 11th.

Angel Reese Partners with McDonald’s

This week, McDonald’s announced a partnership with Angel Reese, the up-and-coming WNBA star from the Chicago Sky.

Starting February 10, fans can order the Angel Reese Special, consisting of a BBQ Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese enhanced by a new BBQ sauce, along with French fries and a beverage.

WNBA Free Agency: Offseason Moves Begin

Unrivaled games are taking place amidst an exciting week as several WNBA players gear up for a season of change.

• Griner has signed with the Atlanta Dream after spending 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury.
• The Laces’ Alyssa Thomas was traded to the Mercury from the Connecticut Sun after her 11-year tenure there.
• A major three-team trade involving Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, and multiple 2025 WNBA draft picks has sparked the offseason excitement.

What is Unrivaled?

Unrivaled is a brand-new women’s basketball league founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, and it runs from January to mid-March.

This inaugural season features six teams with 36 of the finest women’s basketball players globally, including notable names like Sabrina Ionescu and Brittney Griner, who will compete in 3-on-3 matches on a full court over the next nine weeks.

Where are Unrivaled Games Being Played?

Games will take place at Wayfair Arena in Medley, Florida, part of the Miami metropolitan region, located around seven miles from Miami International Airport.

Unrivaled Teams and Their Roster

• Laces: Stefanie Dolson, Tiffany Hayes, Natisha Hiedeman (contracted as a relief player), Kate Martin, Kayla McBride, Alyssa Thomas, Jackie Young.
• Lunar Owls: Shakira Austin, Napheesa Collier, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Allisha Gray, Courtney Williams, Cameron Brink (injured reserved).
• Mist: DiJonai Carrington, Aaliyah Edwards, Rickea Jackson, Jewell Loyd, NaLyssa Smith (contracted as a relief player), Breanna Stewart, Courtney Vandersloot.
• Phantom: Natasha Cloud, Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu, Marina Mabrey, Satou Sabally, Katie Lou Samuelson.
• Rose: Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Lexie Hull, Angel Reese, Azurá Stevens, Brittney Sykes.
• Vinyl: Aliyah Boston, Rae Burrell, Jordin Canada, Dearica Hamby, Rhyne Howard, Arike Ogunbowale.

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