Collier Shines in New Women’s Basketball League
MEDLEY, Fla. — Napheesa Collier, a star player for the Minnesota Lynx, is not only a co-founder of the Unrivaled league but is also making waves on the court. In a spectacular performance, Collier set new single-game records for Unrivaled with 37 points and 18 rebounds, leading the Lunar Owls to a decisive 82-58 victory over the Phantom.
“We come in, wanting to win,” Collier declared confidently in a postgame interview.
As the league’s leading scorer, Collier is averaging 31.7 points across her team’s first three matches. Following her impressive opener with 27 points, she contributed 31 points in the second outing last weekend, alongside her noteworthy average of 11.7 rebounds, just behind fellow co-founder Breanna Stewart, who averages 11.8 rebounds.
Brittney Griner, Collier’s Olympic teammate, praised her after the game, stating, “She’s an Olympian and invokes her will. Wherever she’s playing, she’s making her teammates better.” Griner recognized the challenge of competing against Collier, admitting, “I probably could have done a better job at that tonight.”
Allisha Gray was also pivotal for the Lunar Owls, scoring the game-winning bucket and finishing with 21 points. Skylar Diggins-Smith added 16 points, helping the Owls secure their third win, improving their record to 3-0.
Upcoming Matchups
The Lunar Owls are set to face off against the Vinyl (2-1) on Monday night, while the Rose (1-2) will take on the Laces (3-0) in a thrilling conclusion to the league’s second weekend.
In other action, Satou Sabally led the Phantom with 19 points, while Natisha Hiedeman scored 18 points, and Griner contributed 10 points and five rebounds. Despite winning their first game on Friday, the Phantom now holds a 1-3 record.
Unrivaled Game Highlights
The first game of the night saw the Rose triumph over the Mist with a final score of 71-66. Lexie Hull led the way with 19 points, while Kahleah Copper added 18 points. Chelsea Gray sealed the game with a key basket late in the match. Azurá Stevens also shined, recording 16 points and seven rebounds, marking the Rose’s first victory of the season.
“We needed a win. We needed to get it done,” Gray noted after the game. Meanwhile, the Mist continue to struggle, remaining winless at 0-4 following their matchup where Breanna Stewart posted 20 points and nine rebounds.
Notable Attendees
Noteworthy figures present at the games included NBA star Jimmy Butler, Olympian Gabby Thomas, and former NBA player John Wall.
How to Watch Unrivaled
The Unrivaled league games are broadcasted on TruTV in the U.S. and TSN+ in Canada, with streaming available on Max and YouTube for international viewers.
Understanding Unrivaled
Unrivaled is a revolutionary women’s basketball league co-founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. The inaugural season runs from January to mid-March, featuring six teams comprised of 36 of the world’s top female basketball players, competing in fast-paced, 3-on-3 games over nine weeks. Games are held at Wayfair Arena in Medley, Fla., located in the vibrant Miami metropolitan area.
Unrivaled Teams and Players
- Laces: Stefanie Dolson, Tiffany Hayes, Kate Martin, Kayla McBride, Alyssa Thomas, Jackie Young.
- Lunar Owls: Shakira Austin, Napheesa Collier, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Allisha Gray, Courtney Williams, Cameron Brink (IR).
- Mist: DiJonai Carrington, Aaliyah Edwards, Rickea Jackson, Jewell Loyd, NaLyssa Smith (relief player contract), Breanna Stewart, Courtney Vandersloot.
- Phantom: Natasha Cloud, Brittney Griner, Natisha Hiedeman (relief player contract), Sabrina Ionescu, Marina Mabrey, Satou Sabally, Katie Lou Samuelson.
- Rose: Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Lexie Hull, Angel Reese, Azura Stevens, Brittney Sykes.
- Vinyl: Aliyah Boston, Rae Burrell, Jordin Canada, Dearica Hamby, Rhyne Howard, Arike Ogunbowale.
With excitement building in this innovative league, it’s clear that Unrivaled is creating a new chapter in women’s basketball, showcasing phenomenal athletes while inspiring the next generation of female players.
