Unrivaled: Can DiJonai Carrington, Mist avoid 0-2 start against Laces?

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The first week of Unrivaled action finishes off on Monday night. Phantom and Mist seek their first wins, while Vinyl and Laces will look to join Lunar Owls at 2-0.

Can’t wait until Monday.

⬆️ Things we never thought we’d say

— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) January 19, 2025

Phantom and Vinyl tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET, followed by Mist meeting Laces at around 9:30 p.m. ET. Both games will be broadcast on TNT.

Can Vinyl send Phantom spinning?

Phantom gave Unrivaled its first dud, as the Oregon Duck duo of Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally quacked up an inefficient afternoon on Saturday. The pair was a combined 10-for-31 from the field. As Phantom will remain without the injured Marina Mabrey (calf), and it is unclear if relief player Natisha Hiedeman will be available (illness), the twosome must play better for the club to be competitive. For as great as she is in 5×5 basketball, 3×3 might not be the optimal setting for Brittney Griner, especially against a Vinyl side that, like Laces on Saturday, is oozing with end-to-end athleticism.

Putting points on the board shouldn’t a problem for Vinyl. In the opener, it was Rhyne Howard’s night, as she poured in 33 points. On Monday, no one will surprised if it’s Arike Ogunbowale’s turn. She scored a relatively quiet 10 points on Friday night.

It also would be interesting to see Vinyl head coach Teresa Weatherspoon empower Aliyah Boston, who played less than 10 minutes on Friday. Boston can be proficient operating as a hub from the elbows, capable of finding cutters streaking to the hoop for easy, open scores. With Phantom likely concerned about Howard and Ogunbowale going off from 3, they should be able to frustrate the Phantom defense with back cuts. Dearica Hamby, Rae Burrell and Jordin Canada also possess the quickness required to exploit any inattentiveness from Phantom.

Mist need DiJonai to tie down Laces

Whether or not Jackie Young (left knee) makes her Unrivaled debut for Laces, the club appears to be an intimidating opponent for Mist.

Surrounding Alyssa Thomas with super shooters like Kayla McBride and Stef Dolson, the athleticism of Tiffany Hayes and the right-place play of Kate Martin is a dangerous formula. Add in the smart, well-executed halfcourt sets implemented by head coach Andrew Wade, and the Laces look like they’ve been hooping together for awhile.

To disrupt Laces, Mist should turn to DiJonai Carrington. Her elite athleticism and intelligent two-way play seem tailor-made for this 3×3 style.

Yet, Carrington saw less than 10 minutes in the opener, when Mist coughed up a fourth-quarter lead to Lunar Owls. Carrington should be a constant for Mist, and giving her some running time with the less-experienced-yet-high-energy duo of Rickea Jackson and Aaliyah Edwards should be part of head coach Phil Handy’s strategy. Yes, Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd and Courtney Vandersloot are championship-winning vets, but 3×3 might be a young woman’s game. With Laces likely to be racing up and down the floor, Mist might need to keep their vets fresh by entrusting their youngsters with more extended opportunities.