The Road to the Unrivaled Championship: Can Vinyl, Phantom, Breeze, and Mist Make It to the Final?
The Unrivaled Playoffs are heating up in Brooklyn, with the semifinals set to take place at the Barclays Center. The first game will see No. 6-seed Vinyl go up against No. 1-seed Phantom at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by No. 5-seed Breeze facing off against No. 2-seed Mist at 8:45 p.m. ET. Both games will be broadcast on TNT and truTV, and the intensity is sure to be high as each team's season hangs in the balance.
But who will make it to the championship game in Miami? Let's take a closer look at what each team needs to do to punch their ticket to the final.
Can the Hamby-Howard Duo Drive Vinyl to Another Upset?
Vinyl will face a tough challenge against Phantom, who are the top team in Unrivaled with only three losses this season. In their two matchups, Phantom has come out on top, but their most recent contest ended as a one-possession game. For Vinyl to win, they'll need big games from everyone, especially Dearica Hamby and Rhyne Howard. Hamby is the team's inside presence, averaging 17.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, while Howard is averaging 16.3 points and shooting 35.4 percent from deep.
If they can dominate the glass and score at their typical rate, it'll give them the best chance to pull off another postseason upset.
Will Aliyah Boston's Absence Doom Phantom?
To win it all, teams need skill and luck. While Phantom has all the talent needed, luck isn't on their side. Aliyah Boston has been ruled out for the rest of the playoffs with a right lower extremity injury. Boston's impact can't be duplicated, as she's averaging 18.9 points and a team-high 9.7 rebounds. Phantom will have to rely on development pool players Aziaha James and Makayla Timpson, and Kelsey Plum will have to step up to lead the team to glory. Plum has been a monster for Phantom, scoring 22.6 points per game, but asking more from her is a lot to ask.
Can Breeze's Big 3 Keep Them in Championship Contention?
Breeze is a dangerous team due to their youth and talent. Their Big 3, featuring Paige Bueckers, Dominique Malonga, and Rickea Jackson, gives every opponent in Unrivaled headaches. Bueckers leads the way as both a scorer and facilitator, averaging 22.1 points and 5.5 assists per game. Malonga has been dominant in the paint with three dunks on the year and 16.4 points per game, while Jackson can score in bunches and get hot, tipping the scales in Breeze's favor.
If they can keep their offensive synergy flowing, they'll have a great shot at winning, even against Mist.
Will Mist's Experience, Plus Stewie, Take Them to the Title Game?
Mist will go as far as Stewart takes them, and so far, that's placed them as the No. 2 seed and on a four-game winning streak. Stewart is averaging 21.4 points on 50.5 percent shooting from the field, and Allisha Gray is right there production-wise with Stewie with 21.8 points per game. Arike Ogunbowale is always a threat to go off.
Beating Breeze won't be easy, but they have the experience to get it done. So, who will make it to the championship game in Miami? It's anyone's game, and the intensity is sure to be high. Stay tuned to find out!
