Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada shone brightly on the court as the Vinyl defeated the Lunar Owls 73-70 on Sunday, March 16, 2025, snatching victory from the jaws of the top-seeded team. The match was held at the Wayfair Arena in Medley, Florida, and served as the semifinal for the inaugural Unrivaled Basketball league.
It was also a bittersweet day for Napheesa Collier, the talented forward for the Minnesota Lynx and co-founder of Unrivaled along with fellow WNBA star Breanna Stewart. Just moments before the game, Collier was honored as the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP), reflecting her outstanding performance throughout the season, during which she averaged 25.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.
The playoffs were the culmination of the league's inaugural regular season, which featured six teams: the Laces, Mist, Rose, Lunar Owls, Phantom, and Vinyl. Collier's Lunar Owls boasted the best record at 13-1, making them the top seed heading to the postseason.
Howard scored 23 points and Canada contributed 21 points to propel the Vinyl, who trailed for much of the game. They executed their strategy well against Collier, leading to Dearica Hamby's pivotal layup over her, clinching the dramatic come-from-behind victory.
“We've kind of been counted out the entire season, considered ourselves underdogs,” Hamby said after the match. “But we never stopped believing in ourselves.” The Vinyl's win advances them to the championship game on Monday, March 17, where they will face the second-seeded Rose, who earlier beat the Laces 63-57.
Collier's performance on the day of her MVP accolade was remarkable as she scored 36 points. Despite the great individual achievement, the heartbreak of losing the semifinal loomed large.
“It's been a great season. We said from the very beginning we had a very special group,” Collier reflected. Yet she couldn’t help but be disappointed. “It's a tough ending for us.”
Throughout the playoffs, each game worked under Unrivaled's unique rules, consisting of three seven-minute quarters and a fourth untimed period, marked by new strategies to keep the action fast-paced. The top teams faced off under pressure, and tensions were palpable.
Notably, Collier not only excelled as the league's MVP but also had previous success this season, including winning Unrivaled's midseason 1-on-1 tournament, for which she pocketed $200,000. Despite this financial reward and her statistical prowess, the playoffs proved to be unpredictable.
With every player from the upcoming championship team set to earn hefty $50,000 payouts, the stakes are high, and both the Vinyl and Rose are eager for victory. Chelsea Gray led the Rose with 39 points against the Laces, demonstrating her own capability to turn the tide when the moment called for it.
“It was really important for me to step up today,” said Gray. The Rose will provide formidable competition for the Vinyl, both having demonstrated their mettle throughout the tournament.
Fans of women's basketball are eagerly anticipating the championship match as they rally behind their respective teams. The final will take place at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on both TNT and truTV, along with coverage on Sling for those aiming to catch the excitement live.
The Unrivaled league, aptly coined to offer players alternatives to overseas competitions during offseasons, showcased exceptional talent and competitive spirit, with the playoffs serving as proof of its promising future. The anticipation surrounding the championship game is palpable, set to decide the very first champion of this innovative league.
With the playoffs behind them, the attending viewers are left wondering: how did the underdog Vinyl secure their place against all odds, and can they continue this momentum against the predetermined winners, the Rose? Only time will tell as the league embarks on its thrilling conclusion. Basketball enthusiasts everywhere eagerly await the outcome of what has already proven to be a remarkable season.