On Saturday in Medley, Florida, Rhyne Howard scored a game-high 30 points, guiding the sixth-seeded Vinyl to a decisive victory over the Laces in the Unrivaled playoffs. Meanwhile, Paige Bueckers contributed 29 points to lead the Breeze past the Rose, securing their spot in Monday night’s semifinals. The Unrivaled semifinals feature top teams competing for a chance to reach the championship game scheduled for Wednesday in Miami.
Strong Performances Propel Teams Deeper into Playoffs
The Vinyl celebrated their 82-69 win after Dearica Hamby delivered the winning shot in the opening round, overcoming the third-seeded Laces. Shortly after the game, Vinyl players hoisted Hamby in celebration, acknowledging her clutch performance. Howard, who attended Bradley Central near Chattanooga, shone once again despite her previous team’s narrow loss in the 2025 title contest, where she scored 22 points.
Defensively dominant Dominique Malonga grabbed 17 rebounds to help the Breeze dismantle the reigning champions, the Rose, by a 69-50 margin, advancing to the next phase held at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. This venue also hosts the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and the WNBA’s New York Liberty, adding atmosphere to the semifinal clashes.
Semifinal Matchups Set with Top Seeds Advancing Automatically
The top-seeded Phantom and second-seeded Mist secured automatic berths into the semifinals, setting up their upcoming matchups against the Vinyl and Breeze respectively. The championship game at the Unrivaled home arena in Miami features a prize pool of $600,000, which will be divided among players from the winning team, raising the stakes for all contenders.
Unrivaled Announces Season Award Winners
Saturday also saw the announcement of Unrivaled’s 2026 season accolades, highlighting standout performances. Aliyah Boston of the Phantom earned Defensive Player of the Year honors after an outstanding season with the Indiana Fever in the WNBA. Boston led the league with 29 blocks in 14 games, ranking second in total defensive rebounds with 111, and contributed significantly in points off turnovers. Her averages of 18.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game marked a substantial leap from the previous season’s numbers.
Boston and her teammate Kelsey Plum received All-Unrivaled team honors; Boston on the second team and Plum on the first. Both were joined by Chelsea Gray of the Rose on the first team. Bueckers was praised for leading the Breeze with 22.1 points and 5.5 assists per game while maintaining impressive shooting accuracy from beyond the arc at 38%. Gray, celebrated for winning the 1-on-1 tournament in February, became Unrivaled’s first player to surpass several career milestones, including 600 points, 200 field goals, and 100 assists.
Coaching Excellence Recognized in Unrivaled’s Debut Season
Roneeka Hodges of the Phantom was honored as Coach of the Year, guiding her team to an 11-3 record in her inaugural Unrivaled season. Hodges’ leadership has been instrumental to the Phantom’s success and sets the stage for a promising finals appearance.
Implications for the Championship Race
The semifinals now focus attention on three key teams—Vinyl, Breeze, and Phantom—each carrying momentum as they vie for the Unrivaled title. Rhyne Howard’s standout performance exemplifies the high level of competition and individual skill driving this season. Looking ahead, the championship showdown in Miami promises intense action and a substantial reward for the winning squad, deepening the excitement surrounding this evolving 3-on-3 women’s basketball league.
