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Unrivaled is just a few weeks away from completion, and the league announced an extensive injury report on Monday afternoon ahead of the evenings match-ups between the Rose and Laces, and between the Phantom and Lunar Owls.
To help mitigate injuries, the league has signed players to relief contracts, bringing in WNBA players like NaLyssa Smith, Natasha Hiedeman, and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton at various points this season.
Injury updates: Betnijah Laney-Hamilton done for the year; Kate Martin, Kahleah Copper both hurt
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, who was signed as a relief player last month, is out for the remainder of the Unrivaled season due to injury. Laney-Hamilton played two games with the Laces and averaged 15.5 points per game.
Sabrina Ionescu, a member of the Phantom Club, will not participate in the remaining games due to prior personal commitments. Ionescu has appeared in 9 of 11 games this season, and has been the her team’s leading scorer this season, averaging 18 points per game. At 3-8, the Phantom have been the league’s worst team this season — an they’ve been outscored by a whopping 116 cumulative points this season.
Laces guard Kate Martin and Rose forward Kahleah Copper are both currently rehabbing injuries and are away from Unrivaled, the league shared, though both are expected to return to their respective teams toward the end of the season. Both Martin and Copper have missed several weeks with leg injuries that have not been detailed.
Azura Stevens is also out with a leg injury for the Rose.
Naz Hillmon joins Unrivaled on relief contract
Due to the mounting injuries, Unrivaled has signed a new player — forward Naz Hillmon. Hillmon has yet to be assigned to a particular club and could move around depending on which teams need players. Hillmon, a 24-year-old Atlanta Dream forward, is a strong post player who averaged 5.7 points in 21.7 minutes in the WNBA last season.
In addition, Laces guard Natisha Hiedeman will be reassigned to Phantom, in part because Ionescu is done with Unrivaled for the year. Hiedeman has appeared in 9 games this season, averaging 7.4 points per night.
Marina Mabrey, who has yet to play this season due to a calf injury suffered at training camp, is listed as probable to make her debut. Mabrey has missed all 11 games this season, but has been active on the league’s social media side. Her injury was first announced in January, and she was expected to be re-evaluated in 2-4 weeks.
The Unrivaled regular season concludes on March 10. Semi-finals games will take place on March 16, while league finals are slated for March 17.
