Get ready for an electrifying night of basketball as two thrilling playoff seeding matchups unfold, showcasing the fierce competition between Rose-Vinyl and Phantom-Mist.
This Saturday evening at 8:45 p.m. ET on truTV, the stage is set for a highly anticipated rematch between Phantom and Mist, who are meeting for the second time this season. Both teams boast impressive rosters that have consistently performed at a high level in Unrivaled.
In his latest power rankings, Josh Felton has placed Phantom at an impressive No. 2 and Mist at No. 4, reflecting their strong standings in the league (you can check it out here: https://www.swishappeal.com/unrivaled/72054/power-rankings-3x3-miami-phlly-stats-laces-breeze-phantom-mist-rose-vinyl-lunar-owls-hive-paige-bueckers-kelsey-plum-marina-mabrey-rhyne-howard-breanna-stewart). Felton’s analysis draws from lineup data collected by Dan Falkenheim of SI Now (https://www.si.com/ranking-top-unrivaled-lineups-2026-season-bueckers-brink-martin), which indicates that both the Ghost Gang and Misties possess some of the most effective three-player combinations in the league.
Phantom’s starting trio, consisting of Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Plum, and Tiffany Hayes, has achieved an impressive net rating of 27.5 over 208 possessions. Meanwhile, Mist’s opening trio—Allisha Gray, Breanna Stewart, and Veronica Burton—has outperformed them slightly, boasting an outstanding net rating of 42.9 across 272 possessions. Although the sample sizes in Unrivaled might be limited, these statistics strongly suggest that both teams are exceptionally skilled.
In their previous encounter, Phantom triumphed over Mist, securing a narrow victory of 64-61 in a game characterized by its defensive intensity, contrasting Phantom's second-ranked efficiency with Mist's status as the top-scoring offense in the league.
As these two clubs gear up for their rematch, fans can expect a display of high-caliber basketball, regardless of whether the offensive play is explosive or if defenses tighten once more. Both teams come into this matchup with identical records of 6-3, making this game crucial for claiming sole possession of second place in the Unrivaled standings.
For Mist, it would be strategic for head coach Zach O’Brien to maximize the potential of his best trio more frequently. Despite having logged numerous minutes together, there remains room for further development with Gray, Stewart, and Burton on the court. In their last game against Phantom, it was surprising to see Gray start from the bench, playing less than 13 minutes, while Burton managed just over 13 minutes, and Stewart logged nearly 18 minutes. While O’Brien may want to maintain the morale of the team’s depth players—particularly Arike Ogunbowale, who can turn the tide in moments—statistics indicate that fully utilizing this talented trio could greatly benefit them, especially against a formidable opponent like Phantom.
On the other side, Phantom's coach Roneeka Hodges has effectively navigated her lineup decisions. The absence of Dana Evans, paradoxically, may have simplified matters; rather than managing the playing time for six skilled players, she only needs to focus on five, allowing for more streamlined rotations.
Dana Evans has the potential to enhance Phantom’s performance. Falkenheim has also evaluated Unrivaled’s usage statistics, revealing that Phantom's two main reserves, Kiki Iriafen and Natasha Cloud, exhibit contrasting usage patterns. While Iriafen tends to dominate usage during her minutes, Cloud remains more reserved, despite her impressive shooting from beyond the arc at nearly 42 percent.
Evans could serve as a versatile player who balances those extremes, adapting her usage based on the game's needs. This adaptability has been a hallmark of her WNBA career, which Beckett Harrison discussed after she played a key role in the Las Vegas Aces' 2025 championship win, marking her as a two-time champion (for more on this, visit https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/65917/las-vegas-aces-finals-title-champions-dana-evans-reserve-bench-impact-3s-scoring-trade-role-player-chicago-sky). In her first-ever Unrivaled appearance, Evans played just under eight minutes, primarily functioning as a floor spacer, with five of her seven attempts coming from three-point range.
It’s essential to remember that once the game begins, statistics can only offer so much insight. The unpredictable nature of basketball—and especially Unrivaled—is what makes it so thrilling.
In another exciting matchup, Rose and Vinyl are both eager to claw their way back to a .500 record. Following Breeze’s unexpected defeat to Hive on Friday night (you can read about it here: https://www.swishappeal.com/unrivaled/72185/3x3-women-pro-bball-miami-philly-laces-lunar-owls-playoffs-aaliyah-edwards-breeze-hive-paige-bueckers-sonia-citron-billings-malonga-brink), the victor in the face-off between Rose and Vinyl will not only improve their standing but also have a chance to elevate their position in the league (this match starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on truTV).
For Rose, achieving this goal will necessitate a turnaround from their recent struggles. The reigning champions have faced two consecutive losses, first succumbing to Marina Mabrey’s explosive performance before suffering a tough defeat against Breeze upon returning to Miami. The integration of Kahleah Copper into the lineup has remained uneven, despite her impressive individual contributions. Data from Unrivaled highlights that Rose performs at their peak when Gray is accompanied by one of the team’s big players, either Shakira Austin or Azurá Stevens, along with a defensively strong perimeter player such as Lexie Hull or Sug Sutton.
The sole victory Rose secured while Copper was in the lineup came against Phantom, where Kah referenced the important "hard conversations" (see more about this here: https://x.com/TNTSportsUS/status/2015534749775974663) that led to their success; it seems that further difficult discussions may be necessary.
In contrast, Vinyl rides a wave of momentum, having won two consecutive games, largely driven by Rae Burrell’s remarkable performances that have fueled their positive trajectory. Nonetheless, Vinyl still grapples with establishing a consistent identity.
While they possess enough talent to adapt their strategies based on the specific demands of each game—be it Dearica Hamby scoring 40 points, Rhyne Howard raining down threes, or Brittney Griner dominating in the paint—they would benefit from developing a reliable winning strategy that doesn’t solely depend on individual brilliance. Such a formula would bolster confidence in Vinyl’s potential to realize their full capabilities.
As Saturday night approaches, it's crucial for Vinyl to step onto the court with the right intensity, especially since Rose, led by Gray, will be determined to avoid a third consecutive loss.
This upcoming clash promises to be filled with drama and excitement—who do you think will emerge victorious? Share your thoughts in the comments!
