Unrivaled Women’s Basketball League Championship Game Set: Rose vs. Vinyl
Medley, Florida – The inaugural season of the Unrivaled women’s basketball league is nearing its climax, with the championship game poised to be a captivating showdown between the No. 2 seed Rose and the No. 4 seed Vinyl. The game, scheduled for Monday night, promises high stakes, thrilling action, and a significant $50,000 bonus for each player on the winning team.
The Rose, led by the dynamic Chelsea Gray, will face a formidable challenge against the Vinyl, spearheaded by Rhyne Howard and Dearica Hamby. However, the Rose will likely be without the services of Angel Reese, the league’s defensive player of the year, who is nursing a hand injury. Reese sustained the injury during the regular-season finale and was seen wearing a brace on her left hand while watching from the sidelines as her team secured their spot in the championship.
The semifinal matchups on Sunday provided a glimpse of the competitive intensity that fans can expect in the final. The Rose emerged victorious against the No. 3 seed Laces with a score of 73-67, showcasing resilience and clutch performance. Chelsea Gray delivered an exceptional performance, scoring an Unrivaled high of 39 points, including the game-winning three-pointer. The Rose overcame a halftime deficit of 40-27 with a dominant 23-12 third quarter, ultimately outscoring the Laces 13-5 in the final quarter. However, Gray’s stellar performance was not equally matched by her teammates, as she was the only player on the Rose to score in double figures.
The Vinyl, on the other hand, pulled off an upset against the top-seeded Lunar Owls with a narrow 73-70 victory. Dearica Hamby’s game-winning driving layup over league MVP Napheesa Collier sealed the win for the Vinyl. Rhyne Howard led the Vinyl with 23 points, while Jordin Canada contributed 21 points, with 10 of those points coming in the crucial fourth quarter. The Vinyl overcame a 62-52 deficit after the third quarter, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure. Hamby’s impressive performance included 16 points and 15 rebounds. Despite Collier’s outstanding effort with 36 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, the Lunar Owls fell short.
The Unrivaled championship game is not only a battle between two talented teams but also a historic moment for women in coaching. The game will feature Rose coach Nola Henry and Vinyl coach Teresa Witherspoon, the only two women coaches in the league. Henry guided the Rose to the No. 2 seed after a rocky 1-4 start, while Witherspoon led the Vinyl to the title game as the lowest playoff seed.
The Rose holds a 2-1 advantage in the season series against the Vinyl, adding another layer of intrigue to the championship matchup. The Vinyl secured a 79-73 victory on opening night, fueled by Rhyne Howard’s 33 points and Dearica Hamby’s 17 points and 13 rebounds. The Rose responded with a 61-55 victory on Feb. 18, powered by Chelsea Gray’s 26 points. In the March 10 regular-season finale, the Rose dominated the Vinyl with a 74-46 victory.
The Unrivaled championship game between the Rose and the Vinyl is scheduled for Monday night at 7:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the game live on TNT and TruTV on cable television, as well as live stream on Max in the United States.
The absence of Angel Reese due to her hand injury is a significant blow to the Rose. Reese’s defensive prowess and rebounding ability will be missed, placing added pressure on Chelsea Gray and the rest of the team to step up. However, the Rose has demonstrated its ability to overcome adversity, as evidenced by their semifinal victory despite Gray being the only player to score in double figures.
The Vinyl, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on Reese’s absence and continue their momentum from their upset victory over the Lunar Owls. Rhyne Howard and Dearica Hamby will be crucial to the Vinyl’s success, as they have consistently been the team’s offensive leaders. Jordin Canada’s performance in the fourth quarter of the semifinal game also showcased her ability to rise to the occasion.
The championship game is expected to be a closely contested battle between two teams with contrasting styles. The Rose, led by Chelsea Gray’s offensive firepower, will likely rely on their ability to score points. The Vinyl, with their balanced attack and strong rebounding, will look to control the tempo of the game and limit the Rose’s scoring opportunities.
The Unrivaled women’s basketball league has provided fans with exciting action, talented players, and compelling storylines throughout its inaugural season. The championship game between the Rose and the Vinyl promises to be a fitting conclusion to a successful season, showcasing the best of women’s basketball.
The coaches also provide intrigue for the match up. Witherspoon and Henry both have proven their place in the league as the only 2 female coaches, something that is uncommon to see in any sports league. The two will battle to be the first coach to take home the title of champion in the Unrivaled league.
