If one needed a reminder of the parity that exists within Unrivaled, this fact denotes it – the two teams that participated in the 2026 Unrivaled championship game did not even qualify for last season’s playoffs.
The two-month South Florida journey that is Unrivaled commenced back in early January and included two new teams as well as a pair of tour stops in Philadelphia at the Xfinity Mobile Arena and Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Those two teams that did not participate in last season’s playoffs but were in this season’s Finals were, of course, Mist BC and Phantom BC. Apparently, the 2026 forecast for the Miami metropolitan area on March 4 was Mistie with a chance of championship.
Fittingly enough, a pair of free throws from Unrivaled co-founder Breanna Stewart was what sealed it for Mist BC. The final score would be 80-74 for Mist over Phantom BC. A year after Rose BC prevailed over Vinyl BC in Unrivaled’s inaugural season, its larger and bolder sophomore campaign concluded with a new champion.
The difference for Mist’s narrow win over Phantom proved to be the third quarter. Phantom matched Mist point for point in the first, second and fourth quarters. In the third quarter, Mist outscored Phantom by a margin of 25-19.
Two statistics do stand out – Mist BC finished with six blocks as opposed to none for Phantom BC. One key advantage that Phantom did have over mist was a 9-2 edge on the offensive glass.
There was a reason as to why many a fan going into Wednesday’s contest believed that Phantom had the advantage over Mist. After all, in the previous two get-togethers this season between Phantom and Mist, both games went in favor of the Ghost Gang.
Jan. 12 would be the first meeting this season between these two teams. That one would be a close contest, but Phantom pulled off the 64-61 victory over Mist. The second time these two teams met would be in early February with a bit more of a lopsided result. Phantom’s victory over Mist in that Feb. 7 contest would be 83-71.
During the regular season, Phantom – which finished 11-3 for the 2026 Unrivaled campaign – had Mist’s number but the Stewie-led Mist got just enough in that third quarter to reverse its previously ghastly fortunes.
One wonders how Wednesday’s game could have went if Phantom was able to utilize a healthy Aliyah Boston. She suffered what was described as a lower right extremity injury a few days ago and was ruled out for the remainder of Unrivaled’s playoffs.
Speaking of the Unrivaled co-founder, she not only led her Mist to victory but she also concluded the 2026 Unrivaled season with MVP honors. Her performance on Wednesday night at Sephora Arena included 32 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and two of Mist’s six blocks.
Also instrumental in Mist’s victory was Arike Ogunbowale. She played roughly 14 minutes on Wednesday night and added 19 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal to Mist BC’s cause.
The 2026 Unrivaled season also proved to be ring season for Allisha Gray. In the nearly 14 minutes she was on the court, she tallied 12 points. Her performance also included five rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Mist BC also greatly benefitted from the 11 points, six rebounds and one steal that occurred courtesy of Alanna Smith. As for Veronica Burton, she may have only scored six points, but she led Mist BC on Wednesday night with five dimes.
Not to be outdone, but Kelsey Plum caused problems all evening long for Mist BC. She would play in over 22 minutes and led all point-getters with 40. She also finished her Wednesday night with six rebounds and five assists.
Concluding her first Unrivaled season with an exclamation point was Kiki Iriafen. In the 15 minutes she played, she contributed a double-double of 13 point and 11 rebounds in addition to one steal. Phantom also was boosted by the 12 points, five boards and four dimes that were contributed by the veteran that is Tiffany Hayes.
Natasha Cloud would add nine points, four rebounds and three assists to Phantom BC’s efforts in the roughly 17 minutes that she was on the court.
