"Everyone was putting on a show, and that's what you want for the fans. This is my home. 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.' Stewart's comments reflected the competitive spirit and entertainment value delivered by both teams in the semifinals."
"Phantom may have been the top seed in the postseason, but the club made the final under adverse circumstances: On Sunday, star center Aliyah Boston, the league's defensive player of the year, was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs because of a lower extremity injury. Aziaha James and Makayla Timpson were assigned to the club for the rest of the postseason."
"Mist faced a challenge of their own Monday night, as a poor start saw them facing a 26-10 deficit at the end of the first quarter. But Stewart spurred a turnaround to ensure her squad wouldn't lose on her own home court, demonstrating resilience and determination in the playoff matchup."
The Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball league's second championship will be decided between No. 1 seed Phantom BC and No. 2 seed Mist. Phantom defeated No. 6 Vinyl 83-75, led by Kelsey Plum's 31 points, while Mist mounted a dramatic 16-point comeback against fifth-seeded Breeze, winning 73-69 with Arike Ogunbowale's game-winning three-pointer. The semifinals drew a sellout crowd of 18,231 at Brooklyn's Barclays Center following a last-minute venue change. Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled co-founder, led Mist with 23 points in her homecoming game. Phantom advanced despite losing star center Aliyah Boston to injury and playing without forward Satou Sabally all season.
#unrivaled-basketball-league #championship-finals #womens-basketball #playoff-competition #sports-entertainment
Read at ESPN.com
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