The game between Laces and Rose was nothing short of a rollercoaster, showcasing the unpredictable drama that makes basketball so exciting. While Laces ultimately edged out Rose in a nail-biting duel, it was Rose that dominated most of the game—until the final moments, where everything changed.
Heading into Sunday's matchup, both teams held a 3-1 record, making this game a critical benchmark to gauge their strength and resilience. And indeed, Laces proved they could stand toe-to-toe with the reigning champions, pulling off a narrow 70-66 victory.
Most of the game saw Rose in control, leading comfortably for the majority of the time. In fact, midway through the third quarter, Rose had established a double-digit lead, seemingly on the path to another win. But here’s where it gets truly captivating—Laces' comeback started at exactly this pivotal moment.
Jackie Young ignited her team’s resurgence by netting four consecutive points. Shortly after, Azurá Stevens momentarily put Rose back on the scoreboard, only for Young to respond with a clutch three-pointer. Not stopping there, Naz Hillmon contributed five straight points, further narrowing the gap. With a couple more baskets from Young and Alyssa Thomas, the score at the end of the third quarter was tightly contested—Rose ahead 58-55—setting the stage for the final quarter showdown.
As the game progressed into the last quarter, both sides exchanged baskets fiercely. Early in this decisive period, Thomas and Young kept the offensive momentum alive for Laces, giving them a slim 61-60 lead. Kahleah Copper then drew a foul after scoring and made her free throw, pushing Rose ahead 63-61. But Laces responded with a crucial 7-0 run, turning the game on its head.
Facing imminent defeat, Rose looked for a final chance. Stevens hit a timely three-pointer, providing hope if they could stop Laces from scoring and then capitalize on their next possession. However, that crucial stop never arrived. Young sealed the victory with a smooth jumper over Stevens, cementing her role as the hero and placing Laces at the top of the Unrivaled standings.
Simply put, Laces would not have secured this victory without Jackie Young’s stellar performance. She poured in 35 points—almost tripling the points scored by her next closest teammate—showcasing how a single star can turn the tide of a game. Meanwhile, Rose’s fight to stay in the game was kept alive by Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper, who scored 22 and 21 points respectively.
In the night’s second contest, the results were much less dramatic. Phantom dominated Hive by a significant margin, winning 71-59. From early on, it was clear Phantom was in control, thanks in large part to Aliyah Boston's dominant presence inside. Boston finished with 22 points and six rebounds, asserting her dominance in the paint, while Natasha Could also added six rebounds of her own, contributing to their interior strength.
Kelsey Plum continued her impressive rookie season, adding 20 points, hitting the game-winning shot, and leading her team with six assists. On the other side, Hive struggled offensively. They managed only two three-pointers, shooting an abysmal 16.7%, which severely limited their offensive options. This poor perimeter shooting meant they had to rely on difficult drives and contested shots at the rim—an ineffective strategy when trying to mount a comeback from a double-digit deficit, especially in the second half.
Despite the loss, Hive’s effort was not without merit—they demonstrated balanced scoring, with four players reaching double figures. Kelsey Mitchell led the team with 17 points and also contributed eight assists, giving some hope for future improvements. But overall, the night belonged to Phantom, fueled by their inside-outside versatility and star performances.
