One week into its inaugural season, Unrivaled is off to a good start. The league’s very first game between the Lunar Owls and Mist delivered everything fans had been hoping for: a fast pace, individual battles between WNBA stars, highlight plays, and a big shot to seal the game. Not every game in the following days was quite as competitive, but fans still got to see big performances from several players.
By now, the six clubs have played a total of sixteen games, and each team’s strengths and weaknesses have been on full display. For some clubs, the first few games have gone better than for others. One team in particular has made a statement.
1. Laces
The Laces already looked like one of the strongest teams in the league ahead of the start of the regular season. Featuring Alyssa Thomas, Jackie Young, Tiffany Hayes, Kayla McBride, Stefanie Dolson, and Kate Martin, the roster really does not lack much. The Laces quickly proved that assessment to be correct.
They are currently 3-0, securing wins over the Phantom, Mist, and Vinyl. The first two wins were blowouts, even though the team is not even at full strength yet. Jackie Young is yet to play. The Laces have been able to make up for that, though, as McBride and Hayes have been great offensively through three games. They are currently averaging 23.7 and 18.7 points respectively.
The Laces are also incredibly competitive on the defensive end of the floor and will only get better when Young is ready to play. So far, the Laces look like the clear favorites.
2. Lunar Owls
The Lunar Owls are the only other undefeated team left. They have beaten the Mist and Rose so far. Both were rather close games, but the Lunar Owls have shown the ability to take care of business on both ends of the floor despite being short-handed. The Lunar Owls are the only team that started the season with only five available players, as Cameron Brink is still recovering from an injury.
Napheesa Collier has made up for that, averaging 29 points over two games. At the same time, however, the Lunar Owls have not yet faced one of the other top teams—mainly the Laces and the Vinyl. That will change on Monday, January 27, as the Lunar Owls’ abilities will be put to the test against the Vinyl.
3. Vinyl
Featuring a starting three of Arike Ogunbowale, Rhyne Howard, and Dearica Hamby, the Vinyl are one of the most dangerous offensive teams in Unrivaled. All three of those players can put up big numbers and become virtually unguardable. Plus, Hamby and Howard have 3x3 experience.
All of that was not enough against the Laces, though. After securing wins over the Rose and the Phantom, the Vinyl lost their first game of the season 79-83 on Friday evening. The Vinyl recovered from a sizeable deficit to make the game competitive until the end but ultimately could not get enough stops to secure the victory.
Nevertheless, this team has played well overall and could even overtake the Lunar Owls in the standings sooner rather than later.
4. Phantom
The Phantom started the season off as the worst-looking team in Unrivaled, suffering two blowout losses to the Laces and Vinyl. Losing Marina Mabrey to an injury before the season even started was a tough blow for the Phantom, and Satou Sabally and Sabrina Ionescu struggled to find their footing.
That all changed in the team’s third game. Despite missing Ionescu and Mabrey, the Phantom secured the 74-69 win over the Mist. Granted, the Mist were also playing without Jewell Loyd and DiJonai Carrington but still had Breanna Stewart and Rickea Jackson, two of the team’s three top scorers, as well as Courtney Vandersloot.
Satou Sabally and Brittney Griner were pretty much unstoppable in this game, scoring 29 points each. Sabally hit five three-pointers, and Griner converted 14 of her 18 field goal attempts. If those two can keep up the strong play, the Phantom may be able to turn things around for good, especially if Ionescu plays well upon her return.
5. Rose
The Rose have yet to win a game this season after losses to the Vinyl and the Lunar Owls. Both of those losses were rather close, though, and the Rose have the potential to be much better. Chelsea Gray and Angel Reese make for an intriguing pairing on the court, and Kahleah Copper has the potential to be one of the best scorers in the league.
The Rose Basketball Club does not feature any current WNBA teammates, as many other clubs do, and might just need some time to piece things together. Week two will show whether the Rose have what it takes to move up from the bottom of the standings.
6. Mist
The first few games have been rather disappointing for the Mist. Featuring Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd, DiJonai Carrington, Courtney Vandersloot, Rickea Jackson, and Aaliyah Edwards, the Mist were expected to be one of the more competitive teams in the league.
So far, they have not been that. The Mist have lost all three of their games, falling to the Lunar Owls, Laces, and Phantom. Especially the last loss hurt, as the Phantom came into the game short-handed and as the worst team in the league. The Mist were also shorthanded, missing Jewell Loyd and DiJonai Carrington, but still had Stewart, Jackson, and Vandersloot available—two starters and two of their top three scorers.
The Mist’s place in the standings may change quickly, though. Even after three losses, there is still plenty to like about this team, and, when it comes to basketball, betting against Breanna Stewart is usually not a good idea.