Get excited. It’s happening. Unrivaled basketball is (nearly) here.
A lot of fans have been missing pro hoops since the WNBA ended in October. They’re probably okay with waiting until April when the season rolls around again, but having some of the WNBA’s best down in Miami for Unrivaled basketball is not a bad way to bridge the gap.
Of course, Unrivaled is a fresh take on 3-on-3 hoops, but there’s also a 1-on-1 tournament when the league takes a break in February. There are currently three games scheduled for the week of February 10th. So, we decided to roll out some predictions for the tournament, including a Breanna Stewart versus Napheesa Collier WNBA Finals rematch.
Here’s who we think would be great matchups to see:
Breanna Stewart vs. Napheesa Collier
Stewie versus Phee was the matchup that fed families during the 2024 WNBA Finals. Two of the league’s best went back and forth, putting their respective teams on their backs and having some fun along the way. (Remember when Stewie asked refs for a tech on Phee? Hilarious stuff.)
It makes sense that fans should get another round, especially from two of the league’s founders. Put this ON A LOOP. WE NEED IT.
Alyssa Thomas vs. Angel Reese
Alyssa Thomas is prolific on both ends of the floor and Angel Reese is a defensive force with a budding offensive game. From matchups during the 2024 WNBA season, it’s evident that AT and Angel put on a show.
With that in mind, fire this up. In three Sun-Sky games last season, when both players saw action, AT averaged about 14 points, seven rebounds, and nearly six assists while adding 4.7 steals. Angel averaged just over 15 points with a blistering 11.7 rebounds per matchup. YES, PLEASE.
Sabrina Ionescu vs. DiJonai Carrington
Sabrina Ionescu versus DiJonai Carrington seems like the stuff dreams are made up. Sabrina can shoot it from virtually anywhere on the court, and her 1-on-1 defense has significantly improved over the last season.
DiJonai is a lockdown defender who will block your shot into the next realm or force you to rethink life decisions. She’s also a solid scorer who is sneaky good with a quick first step. BRING ON THE MADNESS.
Kahleah Copper vs. Rickea Jackson
Oh, baby. This might be the most underrated matchup that Unrivaled could put together.
Kahleah Copper’s explosiveness on the court cannot be understated. She could drop 30 points on headtops at any moment and walk off the court like nothing happened. Good luck if she gets hot from beyond the arc. You might as well pack it up and go home.
Rickea Jackson is a tremendous scorer who was pro-ready before stepping on a WNBA court. Her rookie campaign went under the radar, but it was chock full of highlight reel moments. Rickea is a fantastic three-level scorer with an automatic signature mid-range jumper. GIVE IT TO ME RIGHT NOW. BUCKETS ON BUCKETS ON BUCKETS.
