Unequalled’s highly-anticipated 1v1 match begins Monday evening, and the primary spherical options 16 standout WNBA gamers: Napheesa Collier, Katie Lue Samuelson, Chelsea Grey, Shakira Austin, Kahleah Copper, Aliyah Boston, Rhyne Howard, Lexie Hull, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Dearica Hamby, Allisha Grey, Jordin Canada, Jackie Younger, Rickea Jackson, Breanna Stewart, and Aaliyah Edwards.
One other 7 gamers are advancing proper into the second spherical of the playoffs: Arike Ogunbowale, Rae Burrell, Azura Stevens, Courtney Williams, Satou Sabally, and DiJonai Carrington. That’s as a result of the gamers they had been slated to compete towards are out with accidents. Ogunbowale had a bye from the soar as a result of media and fan voting.
As a consequence of lingering accidents and to prioritize participant wellbeing for regular-season video games, Unequalled can be combining the 2 1st Spherical periods for the 1 on 1 Match Introduced by Sprite into one session. The first Spherical can be performed from 7-9 p.m. ET at Wayfair Area, airing on… pic.twitter.com/jXsLCfOVgd
— Unequalled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) February 9, 2025
The 1-on-1 video games are single-elimination and can be performed to 11 factors or 10 minutes in size, whichever comes first. Winners will advance to the subsequent spherical of the match, which continues on Tues, Feb. 11.
Which WNBA gamers are competing within the first spherical and who can we count on to return away with a win?
The truth is that with video games being so shot — and winners preserving the ball — something can occur in these first-round video games. All 16 gamers have a practical shot to return out of the primary spherical as long as they get scorching.
In any case, listed here are SB Nation’s picks for the primary spherical of the 1v1 match.
Napheesa Collier vs Katie Lue Samuelson: The straightforward choose right here is Napheesa Collier, who has been essentially the most dominant participant in Unequalled to date this season, averaging 29.3 factors and 11.5 rebounds per sport. Collier has been unstoppable within the put up and has been an elite defender, even on the perimeter. She has the higher hand towards Katie Lou Samuelson, who has been the third-lowest-scoring participant in Unequalled to date this season.
Prediction: Napheesa Collier advances
Chelsea Grey vs Shakira Austin: This one can be just a little little bit of a mismatch, however who will be capable to exploit their benefit extra isn’t sure. Chelsea Grey is 5’11 and Shakira Austin is 6’5. If Grey can get some offensive rhythm going, it is going to be onerous for Austin to maintain up along with her on the perimeter.
Prediction: Chelsea Grey advances
Kahleah Copper vs Aliyah Boston: At her finest, Kahleah Copper is among the finest scorers within the sport, and at Unequalled, she’s averaged 16.6 factors per sport. She has the potential to get scorching on this one, particularly if she makes her first few, and although Aliyah Boston (who’s 6’5) has 4 inches on her, Copper is 6’1 and may maintain her personal defensively.
Prediction: Kahleah Copper advances
Rhyne Howard vs Lexie Hull: Rhyne Howard has the scale to make life for Lexie Hull troublesome, however I’m betting on Hull getting scorching from the surface and occurring a little bit of a roll. Hull had an excellent second half of the yr capturing for the Fever, and he or she’s my sleeper choose for making a little bit of a run right here regardless of having a considerably extra restricted on-ball sport than a lot of the different gamers on this checklist.
Prediction: Lexie Hull advances
Skylar Diggins-Smith vs Dearica Hamby: Diggins-Smith and Hamby have been two of Unequalled’s finest gamers to date this season. Hamby is the league’s third-leading scorer at 21.2 factors per sport and has been a formidable paint presence. However Diggins-Smith can get scorching from the surface, and he or she’ll have that edge within the 1v1 match. She’s additionally a powerful defender who’s a fiery competitor. Diggins-Smith is 5’9 and Hamby is 6’3, so she’ll be undersized on this one. However, some scorching capturing can carry her by means of.
Prediction: Skylar Diggins-Smith advances
Allisha Grey vs Jordin Canada: Allisha Grey has been on a tear at Unequalled, averaging 19.5 factors because the league’s third-leading scorer. She additionally had a pleasant report of successful in most of these competitions — she received each the abilities problem and the three-point contest at WNBA All-Star weekend final yr. Grey is well-suited for 1v1. However, if anybody can gradual her down, it may very well be her Atlanta Dream teammate. Canada is intimately aware of Grey’s sport and can be an elite defender.
Prediction: Alisha Grey advances
Jackie Younger vs Rickea Jackson: This one was a troublesome choose. Younger is the extra polished offensive participant, however she’s additionally coming off harm and isn’t fairly at 100%. Jackson is a killer midrange scorer who could possibly go on a little bit of a run on this match regardless of being much less skilled.
Prediction: Rickea Jackson advances
Breanna Stewart vs Aaliyah Edwards: Edwards has had a stable Unequalled season to date, however I give the sting to Breanna Stewart who has been a perennial MVP candidate and may rating in a mess of how. Stewart has averaged 18.4 factors and 11.4 rebounds per sport, whereas Edwards has averaged 9.3 factors and 4.5 rebounds. Whereas Edwards might have the opportunity maintain her personal, the much more veteran Stewart has the higher hand.
Prediction: Breanna Stewart advances
Which Unequalled gamers aren’t enjoying within the match?
The league introduced on Sunday that 7 gamers are injured and can forego competitors: Natasha Cloud, Alyssa Thomas, Tiffany Hayes, Marina Mabrey, Kate Martin, Brittney Sykes, and Kayla McBride.
As well as, 5 gamers weren’t anticipated to take part from the soar: Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu, Angel Reese, Stefanie Dolson, and Courtney Vandersloot.
The second spherical of the 1v1 match will happen on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7pm ET. The match will wrap up on Friday, Feb. 14, with the winner strolling away with a $200,000 money prize (and Last 4 members incomes $25,000).