Arike Ogunbowale secured a thrilling victory for the Mist in the Unrivaled semifinals on Wednesday at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, outplaying her Dallas Wings teammate Paige Bueckers with a game-winning three-pointer. The 29-year-old’s decisive basket capped a 73-69 comeback win, advancing the Mist to face the Phantom in the championship showdown after overcoming an early 16-point deficit.
Ogunbowale’s 21-point performance was second only to Mist star Breanna Stewart, who led all scorers with 23 points. The Wings’ Bueckers and Ogunbowale have shared the spotlight before, with Bueckers earning WNBA Rookie of the Year honors last season while Ogunbowale played a key role for Dallas.
Stewart’s Leadership in Brooklyn and the Road to the Final
Stewart, playing on her home court in Brooklyn, was a driving force behind the Mist’s success. Her contribution was vital in securing the narrow win over the Breeze and she emphasized the significance of playing in Brooklyn, where she has developed as a superstar.
“Once I knew [the semifinals in Brooklyn] was happening, I was like, ‘My team has to be here. I want to be playing in this game.'”
Breanna Stewart, Mist forward
The Mist will meet the top-seeded Phantom on Wednesday in the final. However, the Phantom have faced challenges en route, notably losing their Defensive Player of the Year Aliyah Boston to a lower-body injury. To strengthen their roster, the Phantom added Aziaha James and Makayla Timpson for the remainder of the playoffs while coping with the absence of Satou Sabally, out since the WNBA Finals, and limited availability of guard Dana Evans.
Hosting the Championship in Miami Amid Venue Decisions
Despite discussions around holding the final at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, Unrivaled will return to Miami for the championship at a smaller 1,000-seat venue. Stewart highlighted the emotional value of contesting the title where the team has built its identity and history rather than opting for a larger arena.
“There’s a [value] to going and winning a championship in the place that you built,”
“So while it is a smaller arena and venue, that’s where the banner is raised, that’s where the Rose has it, and now we’re going to fight for that championship in the place that we’ve been working all season long.”
Breanna Stewart, Mist forward
Ongoing Collective Bargaining Talks Cast a Shadow Over the Season
As the Unrivaled playoffs unfold, the WNBA and its players’ union remain embroiled in tense negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement, a process that began 17 months ago. Disagreement centers on revenue sharing, with players advocating for 26% of gross league revenue before expenses, while the WNBA proposes 70% of net revenue after costs.
WNBA Players Association First Vice President Kelsey Plum described the situation as challenging but stressed the commitment to reach an agreement without resorting to a strike, recognizing the mutual harm it would cause.
“I want to play, and players want to play,”
“And so obviously we’re going to continue to negotiate and do everything we possibly can to get this done in a timely fashion.”
“But obviously, a strike would be the worst thing for both sides, because we are in a revenue [sharing system], so no revenue, no revenue to share.”
Kelsey Plum, WNBPA First Vice President
The Importance of Ogunbowale’s Performance in the Bigger Picture
Ogunbowale’s game-winning shot not only marked a personal milestone on her 29th birthday but also symbolized the competitive tension within the Unrivaled league, as former teammates face off on the biggest stage. This moment highlights her continued impact in high-pressure situations while setting the stage for a highly anticipated final against a Phantom team dealing with key absences.
The championship in Miami promises to be a historic event as both teams vie for the league’s coveted title, with the outcome likely to influence player morale and fan engagement amidst ongoing labor discussions. The resolution of the collective bargaining talks will be critical moving forward, potentially shaping how players and the league interact in future seasons.
