The winners of one-on-one matchups don’t always coincide with who the best five-on-five players are. Nevertheless, Unrivaled’s one-on-one tournament, is the perfect opportunity for Aliyah Boston to solidify her newfound standing as one of the best players in the game.
Boston finished the 2025 season tied for sixth in MVP votes and as a member of the All-WNBA Second Team and the All-Defensive Second Team. At only 23, Boston is new to that tier of the top-ten players in the league. Her first 1-on-1 opponent, Alyssa Thomas, isn’t. Thomas has been a top-five MVP candidate for the past four seasons.
If Boston can beat Thomas in the 1-on-1, it will prove further that she belongs in the same conversations. It would also give her—and Fever fans—some nice bragging rights.
Alyssa Thomas is an accomplished veteran
Thomas is one of the most well-rounded players in the W and Unrivaled. She is a strong inside scorer, a good rebounder, a phenomenal playmaker, and an outstanding defender. Thomas led the WNBA in assists, steals, and rebounds once each and has several All-Defensive Team and All-WNBA Team selections on her resume.
The Mercury star is a walking triple-double. She holds the records for most career triple-doubles, most triple-doubles in a season, and the fastest triple-double in WNBA history. This past season, she also became the first WNBA or NBA player to record at least 12 rebounds and 15 assists in consecutive games.
In the 1-on-1 tournament, Thomas’s playmaking won’t help her, but her rebounding, her ability to score around the basket, and her defense will. Boston also excels at those things, so it should be a very good game to watch.
Boston vs. Thomas isn’t the only thrilling one-on-one matchup
Aliyah Boston’s first-round matchup is certainly one of the games to circle on the 1-on-1 schedule, but the tournament features many other fun pairings. Dominique Malonga vs. Aaliyah Edwards should be an especially entertaining matchup. They are two of the best young bigs in the league, and Edwards made it to the final last season.
Jordin Canada and Skylar Diggins will offer a battle of speed, defense, and toughness. Other than that, Shakira Austin is eager to prove herself against Dearica Hamby, Arike Ogunbowale will take on defensive standout Brittney Sykes, and Rookie of the Year candidate Sonia Citron will try to stop Marina Mabrey, who just scored 47 points in Philadelphia.
Rae Burrell vs. Rhyne Howard, Rickea Jackson vs. Kahleah Copper, and Veronica Burton vs. Courtney Williams should also be entertaining games.
Kelsey Mitchell, the only other Fever player competing in the tournament, will face Rachel Banham in the first round. Barring some major upset, Mitchell should move on to the next round.