Unrivaled’s Thrilling Debut: A New Era for Women’s Basketball Begins
MEDLEY, Fla. – Skylar Diggins-Smith made history on Friday night by hitting the first game-winning shot in Unrivaled history, igniting a joyful celebration as her teammates and coaches rushed onto the court.
Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league co-founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, kicked off with an exhilarating opening night. The league’s unique “target score” rule for the fourth quarter added high-stakes drama and set the stage for what promises to be an exciting season.
The league’s debut saw Diggins-Smith sinking two late three-pointers, leading the Lunar Owls to an 84-80 victory over the Mist. The game showcased the league’s potential for thrilling finishes, with Diggins-Smith highlighting the competitive edge this format provides.
“That’s the thing about this game, you can come back at any time,” Diggins-Smith remarked. Collier added, “It’s so entertaining. Every game feels crucial, high stakes, because you’re going to have a game-winner every single time.”
Unrivaled aims to transform women’s sports with higher player salaries and equity stakes, along with fast-paced gameplay on a 70-foot court. The opening games demonstrated this intensity, featuring nearly 100 field-goal attempts in the first matchup and 89 in the second. The league’s “Elam Ending” format adds 11 points to the leading team’s score before the fourth quarter, ensuring a definitive conclusion.
Steve Nash and Alex Morgan were among the 850 fans packed into Wayfair Arena, a converted warehouse near Miami International Airport. The intimate setting heightened the excitement, merging high-energy gameplay with a lively atmosphere.
Collier recorded 27 points and 11 rebounds in the Lunar Owls’ win, while Stewart added six points and 14 rebounds for the Mist. In the second game, Rhyne Howard’s 33 points led Vinyl to a 79-73 victory over Angel Reese and the Rose.
“The competitive fire is in the gym. It’s in the arena,” Chelsea Gray of the Rose remarked. “Everyone feels it, from the players to the fans.”
Unrivaled faces stiff competition from other major sports events, such as the NFL playoffs, NBA games, and college football. This Saturday, the league will showcase stars like Sabrina Ionescu and Brittney Griner, vying for viewers against prominent NFL and U.S. men’s soccer matches.
Despite these challenges, Unrivaled’s leadership remains hopeful. President Alex Bazzell, who is also Collier’s husband, emphasized the league’s strategic aim to build a solid foundation and gain traction through social media and marketing efforts.
“We’re not expecting WNBA viewership numbers right away,” Bazzell stated. “Our goal is to grow week by week, concentrate on the athletes, and deliver a fantastic product. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Friday’s games provided a strong kickoff for the league, which aims to find its rhythm between the Super Bowl and March Madness. The season will wrap up on St. Patrick’s Day, navigating a busy sports calendar along the way.
Jewell Loyd scored 30 points for the Mist, Stewart recorded the first assist in league history, and Reese achieved a double-double in the second game. Fans eagerly bought Unrivaled merchandise, and DJ Heat kept the atmosphere lively with upbeat music during the games.
Diggins-Smith’s game-winning shot attracted over 350,000 views on social media, showcasing the rising interest in Unrivaled’s fresh approach.
Unrivaled Commissioner Micky Lawler, who previously worked with the WTA, encapsulated the league’s mission. “Our game looks and feels different, but it’s an important game,” Lawler noted.
As Unrivaled embarks on its journey, it aims to inject excitement and innovation into women’s basketball while establishing new standards for the sport.
