MEDLEY, Fla. – The Unrivaled women’s basketball league is still working out the kinks in the second-to-last week of its brief, inaugural season.
The Vinyl’s 64-63 win Friday over the Laces featured a noteworthy sequence that caused confusion for players, coaches and fans alike:
First, Vinyl star Rhyne Howard appeared to block a 3-point shot by Laces guard Jackie Young, but was called for a foul.
Howard immediately signaled toward her bench to challenge.
Vinyl coach Teresa Weatherspoon twirled her right index finger in the air for a review.
But the Vinyl did not have a review to use – they already used it in the first half.
Laces standout Alyssa Thomas, who went on a personal 8-2 run to help the Laces take the lead in the fourth quarter, repeatedly signaled a technical foul with her hands.
Laces coach Andrew Wade also believed it should have been a technical foul, like when teams call timeouts when they no longer have them.
As referees and players tried to sort out the situation, Weatherspoon sought clarification from Unrivaled executive vice president and general manager Clare Duwelius and basketball operations staffer Louis Lehman, sitting on the baseline.
Unlike the WNBA, Unrivaled teams don’t get a challenge again after using the first one.
“Just got our rules confused,” Weatherspoon said. “We’re from one league to the other, and in this league, if you win, you don’t get another one back.”
There was no technical foul issued. There was no review. The foul was upheld – although it appeared Howard got all ball. Young scored a free throw worth three points (an Unrivaled rule) to trim the Laces’ deficit to 60-59.
Thomas scored a wide-open layup to give the Laces a 63-62 lead, but fouled Dearica Hamby on the next possession on a drive to the hoop. Hamby sunk the game-winning free throw, worth two points, to secure the Vinyl win.
“A win is a win, and we’re grateful for that,” Hamby said.
The free-throw ending may have been anticlimactic, but the end of the Laces-Vinyl game showed the final weeks of Unrivaled’s first season will only get more competitive.
There are only five more nights of Unrivaled games during the regular season: Saturday, Monday, then March 7, 8 and 10. The two-day postseason begins with semifinal games on March 16 before the March 17 final.
Only four of the six clubs will play for the Unrivaled championship.
Napheesa Collier’s Lunar Owls have been the best team at 9-1. Angel Reese, Chelsea Gray and the Rose have won five in a row to rank second with a 6-4 record. Both clubs will be in action on Saturday and Monday.
The Vinyl sneaked into No. 3, ahead of the Laces at No. 4. Both clubs have 5-6 records.
Breanna Stewart had 21 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, while Rickea Jackson scored 20 points and Jewell Loyd added 18 points for the Mist in an 88-62 win over Sabrina Ionescu, Brittney Griner and the Phantom in the second game Friday night. The Mist are 4-7 and in fifth place, while the Phantom are 3-8 and in last place.
Keep an eye on the Laces, who despite the loss, featured Thomas, Tiffany Hayes and Kayla McBride in their starting lineup again after injuries plagued the club in the last month. They almost looked like the same version of themselves that started Unrivaled 4-0.
“Tonight, we showed what we’re capable of,” Thomas said. “I think the second half was how we played at the start of the season. It felt good for us.”
