Unrivaled League Debuts with Thrilling 3-on-3 Women’s Basketball Games

MIAMI — Skylar Diggins-Smith sank a game-winning 3-pointer to seal the Lunar Owls‘ 84-80 victory over the Mist in the inaugural game of the Unrivaled women’s basketball league Friday night. The new 3-on-3 league, co-founded by WNBA stars, aims to provide players an alternative to overseas play during the offseason.

“This atmosphere was electric,” Diggins-Smith said at center court after the game. “We’re going to celebrate this one tonight.” The league’s unique scoring system adds 11 points to the leading team’s score after three quarters, ensuring every game ends with a decisive shot.

The Lunar Owls’ victory capped off a sold-out night at the 870-seat MediaPro Center, where fans braved light rain to attend the league’s debut. Hall of Famer Steve Nash and U.S. soccer star Alex Morgan were among the notable attendees, while WNBA executives filled the stands.

Players described the intimate arena as creating an intense, high-energy environment. “It was like the fans were right there on the court,” said Allisha Gray, whose Rose team fell 79-73 to the Vinyl in the second game. “Whether there was music or not, during the different runs of the game, there was always energy.”

Unrivaled’s condensed full-court format, distinct from Olympic 3×3’s half-court play, produced a fast-paced game. Teams combined for over 120 shots in each matchup, with players emphasizing the physical demands of the format. “There’s not really a time where you take a possession off,” Gray said. “You got to be in shape for sure to be able to play this game.”

On Saturday, the league continued its Week 1 action with the debut of Phantom BC and Laces BC. Laces guard Kayla McBride led all scorers with 25 points in an 86-48 win, while Sabrina Ionescu returned from offseason surgery to score 14 points for Phantom BC.

The Lunar Owls improved to 2-0 with a 79-70 victory over Rose BC, led by captain Napheesa Collier‘s 31 points. The league’s regular season will run through March 10, with a 1-on-1 tournament scheduled for February and playoffs set for mid-March.

Unrivaled’s games are broadcast on TNT and streamed on Max, with the next matchups set for Monday night. The league’s innovative format and star-studded roster have already drawn comparisons to high-stakes championship games, signaling a promising future for women’s basketball.