NEW YORK — The 3-on-3 Unrivaled league is set to crown its second champion tonight at Miami’s Sephora Arena, featuring a thrilling matchup between the top-seeded Phantom BC and the second-seeded Mist.
Phantom BC advanced to the finals with a hard-fought 83-75 victory over No. 6 Vinyl, led by Kelsey Plum, who scored an impressive 31 points. Meanwhile, Mist pulled off a remarkable comeback, rallying from a 16-point deficit to defeat No. 5 Breeze 73-69, thanks in part to a critical three-pointer from Arike Ogunbowale in the closing moments of the game.
The semifinals were a spectacle for basketball fans, boasting a sellout crowd of 18,231 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, which hosted the games after the venue change was announced earlier this year. Players showcased their talent and tenacity, much to the delight of the audience. “Everyone was putting on a show, and that’s what you want for the fans,” Plum commented on the atmosphere of the games.
The night held special meaning for Unrivaled co-founder Breanna Stewart, who proudly played in front of a home crowd while leading the Mist with 23 points. Stewart expressed her desire to compete in Brooklyn, stating, “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.’” Fellow co-founder Napheesa Collier joined the festivities, alongside celebrities such as Ashton Kutcher, Hilary Knight, and Jason Sudeikis.
Despite their status as the top seed, Phantom BC faced challenges on their path to the finals. Star center Aliyah Boston, acclaimed as the league’s defensive player of the year, was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs due to an injury. Additionally, Phantom has navigated the playoffs without key players like forward Satou Sabally and guard Dana Evans, who has only appeared in one game.
In contrast, Mist also had to overcome adversity. After trailing 26-10 at the end of the first quarter, Stewart’s team executed a strong comeback to secure their spot in the championship game. Both teams missed the playoffs in 2025; however, Phantom BC enters tonight’s game riding a nine-game winning streak and holds a 2-0 series advantage over Mist this season.
Adding to the excitement, the defending champions, Rose, faced an unexpected defeat against Breeze in the quarterfinals, with point guard Chelsea Gray receiving the MVP award earlier in the week.
Following a successful stop in New York, which marked the second tour of the season after a record-setting turnout at Philadelphia’s Xfinity Mobile Arena in January, the league will return to its main base in Miami for the championship. With a $600,000 prize pool on the line, both teams are eager to claim the title.
Stewart reflected on the significance of hosting the championship at their 1,000-seat venue, saying, “There’s a [value] to going and winning a championship in the place that you built… that’s where the banner is raised, and now we’re going to fight for that championship in the place that we’ve been working all season long.” This sentiment underscores the commitment and passion of the players and the league as they approach this pivotal moment in their inaugural season.