LA Sparks Star Threatens Napheesa Collier After Her Unrivaled Team’s Perfect Start in 1v1 Tournament

Unrivaled, the newest three-on-three league with a fresh format, was co-founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. But after a month of competition, it seems Collier owns the league alone. From dominating three-on-three matchups to advancing past the first round of the 1v1 tournament, she remains unbeaten. However, the road to perfection is about to get even tougher, with her own teammate making it clear—she’s coming for her.

Rickea Jackson, the standout from the Lunar Owls, also advanced to the second round of the Unrivaled 1v1 Tournament with a commanding 11-3 win over Jackie Young. Now, she’s set to face none other than her teammate, Collier. And when asked about the upcoming showdown, she didn’t hold back.

Instead, she sent a clear message that she was ready to challenge the league’s co-founder with a physical style of play. “I just gotta body [Napheesa Collier] and hope that the refs don’t be on that bull crap,” Jackson said. And no doubt, she’s got the stats to back up her words.

In the first round, Jackson was significantly more efficient from the field, making 62.5% of her shots compared to Collier’s 41.7%. Not just that, Collier struggled from three, missing all three of her attempts, while Jackson hit one of her two.

However, despite the lower shooting efficiency, Collier still managed to score more due to her higher volume of attempts and an extra free throw. “She’s either going to create her own shot or find that assist,” shared TNT analyst, emphasizing Collier’s unmatched skill set.

Phee also dominated the boards, nearly doubling Jackson’s total of four rebounds, which gave her more second-chance opportunities—though she wasn’t finishing at a high rate.

Both players had zero turnovers and committed just one foul each. So, simply put, while Jackson had a more efficient scoring night, Collier contributed more on the glass and on defense.

For Jackson, the key will be playing a physical game and not allowing Collier to get comfortable. But, Collier and Jackson arent the only Luner Owl’s mates under the spotlight after round one of Unrivaled’s tournament.

Despite Lunar Owls’ dominance, their next game stands as a threat

Collier and Jackson aren’t the only Lunar Owls players under the spotlight. All four of the team’s stars—Collier, Jackson, Allisha Gray, and Skylar Diggins-Smith—advanced past the first round.

Gray dominated Jordin Canada with an 11-4 win, while Diggins-Smith cruised past Dearica Hamby with an 11-3 victory. And, honestly, we saw this coming. Right from the start, the Lunar Owls have been dominant, whether against Angel Reese’s Roses or Breanna Stewart’s Mist.

Even in their latest three-on-three matchup, they overcame a 10-point deficit in the third quarter to stun Mist with an 85-81 victory. And all four players contributed in their own unique ways. Collier set a single-game scoring record with 38 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, while Gray and Diggins-Smith provided crucial support, combining for 31 points.

Despite a strong effort from Mist—led by Stewart’s 23 points and 17 rebounds—the Owls stayed undefeated.

Even in the 1v1 tournament’s first round, their dominance remained unshaken. But the real question lies ahead.

Will Jackson back up her words and hand Collier her first 1v1 loss? Or will Collier continue her dominance and push closer to the $200,000 grand prize? Either way, this upcoming battle between the two stars is set to be one of the most electrifying matchups of the tournament.