Get ready for a basketball showdown that promises to be nothing short of electrifying! When Laces and Mist collide in this early-season Unrivaled matchup, who will rise as the game-changers? This isn’t just another game—it’s a potential championship preview, and the stakes are sky-high. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can Alyssa Thomas, the undeniable force of nature, truly dominate when her team needs her most? Let’s dive in.
Alyssa Thomas is the kind of player you can’t ignore—her presence on the court is magnetic. Yet, surprisingly, she flew under the radar for most of Laces’ Unrivaled opener against Vinyl. For three quarters, Thomas’ stats were uncharacteristically modest: three missed shots, five rebounds, two assists, two turnovers, and a single foul in the first 21 minutes. By her lofty standards, it was a whisper in a storm. Laces still managed a four-point lead, 46-42, heading into the fourth quarter, thanks to Brittney Sykes’ explosive 15-point third-quarter performance.
And this is the part most people miss: As the fourth quarter tipped off, with the target score set at 57 points, Thomas flipped the switch. She unleashed a barrage of six consecutive points, propelling Laces past the target in just over two minutes. That was the AT we all know—aggressive, relentless, and unyielding, with that signature sneering smile. Laces will need that version of Thomas to stand a chance against Mist on Saturday night (8:45 p.m. ET, truTV).
This matchup isn’t just a game; it’s a clash of titans. Laces’ late surge against Vinyl showcased their potential, especially with Jackie Young stepping up alongside Thomas. After Thomas scored Laces’ first six points in the fourth, Young sealed the deal with the final six, including the game-winning free throw. But Mist isn’t backing down. Allisha Gray proved in their opener against Hive that she’s a force to be reckoned with, dropping a game-high 21 points, including two early triples, and grabbing nine rebounds.
Here’s the bold question: Can Mist’s revamped roster truly challenge Laces’ two-way dominance? Last season, Mist leaned heavily on Breanna Stewart to carry the load. Now, Stewie has a formidable supporting cast, including Gray, Veronica Burton (14 points, eight rebounds, six assists in her debut), and Alanna Smith (10 points, eight rebounds, five blocks). Add Arike Ogunbowale’s scoring punch off the bench and Li Yueru’s surprising mobility, and Mist looks like a well-oiled machine.
But Laces won’t go down without a fight. Thomas and Young are backed by a deep roster: Sykes’ scoring and tenacity, Jordin Canada’s lightning-quick dribble, Naz Hillmon’s dominance on the glass, and Maddy Siegrist’s clutch contributions. Barring an unexpected shooting spree from either side, this game is destined to go down to the wire. Who will blink first?
Now, let’s shift gears to the night’s first game: Do the Lunar Owls stand a chance against Phantom? Spoiler alert: it’s not looking good. What was supposed to be a redemption season for the Owls, last year’s regular-season powerhouse, has already turned sour. With reigning Unrivaled MVP Napheesa Collier out for the season due to ankle surgeries, the Owls have lost their offensive and defensive anchor. Skylar Diggins’ absence in the opener only added to their woes, resulting in a blowout loss.
Even with Diggins’ return, the Owls face an uphill battle. While Collier’s consistent scoring will be missed, her defensive presence might be the bigger loss, especially with streaky shooters like Diggins, Marina Mabrey, and Rachel Banham. Phantom, last season’s bottom-dweller, should capitalize on this opportunity for an easy win.
But here’s the silver lining for Phantom fans: Aliyah Boston showed glimpses of her best self in their opener, scoring a career-high 18 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Tiffany Hayes continued to thrive in the 3x3 format with 20 points, and Kelsey Plum looked poised in her debut. If they can avoid foul trouble—Hayes, Plum, and Boston combined for 13 fouls in their first game—Phantom could be a dark horse this season.
So, what do you think? Can Mist dethrone Laces, or will Thomas and company prove too much to handle? And are the Lunar Owls officially in freefall, or is there still hope for a turnaround? Let us know in the comments—this debate is just heating up!
