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The 2026 Unrivaled regular season concludes with a four-game Friday featuring two sessions.
First up, Hive and Lunar Owls meet at 1 p.m. ET, followed by Mist and Vinyl at 2 p.m. ET. Both games will be broadcast on truTV. The evening session tips off with Rose and Phantom at 7:30 p.m. ET, with Breeze and Laces closing out the regular season at 8:45 p.m. ET. Both night games will be available on TNT and truTV.
While all six playoff spots have been claimed, there’s still plenty left to determine during the season’s final day. Here’s what’s at stake in every matchup.
Hive BC vs. Lunar Owls BC (1 p.m. ET, truTV)
As both Hive and Lunar Owls have been eliminated from playoff contention, this is a battle NOT to finish in last place.
Hive prevailed in the first matchup between the two teams, 74-71, a back-and-forth contest that was highlighted by Natisha Hiedeman’s four 3-pointer and 20-point outburst. As that was one of the most thrilling games of the season, despite the clubs’ positions at the bottom of the standings, don’t discount the rematch, despite the lack of real stakes.
However, this game could serve as an opportunity for developmental players to get some deserved run.
Azurá Stevens already announced that she is done for the season due to injury, while Hiedeman also missed Hive’s last game and Sonia Citron exited early with an injury. In their stead stepped Aziaha James, who, appearing in just her second 3×3 game of the season, scored a team-high 22 points.
It would be fun to watch Zaza get another opportunity to show off her skills, in addition to possibly seeing fellow DPs Haley Jones, Kiana Williams and Mikayla Timpson receive game action.
Mist BC vs. Vinyl BC (2:15 p.m. ET, truTV)
This game has the day’s biggest stakes.
While Vinyl is stuck in sixth place, Mist wants to secure the No. 2 seed, earning themselves a bye to the semifinals in Breanna Stewart’s home WNBA arena, Barclays Center. Expect the Misties, who have scored 90 or more points in three-straight games, to come in focused and firing. In the first game between these two clubs, Vinyl successfully slowed Mist’s high-scoring offense, but Mist still came out ahead, 76-71.
More immediately, this game will determine the winner of the second round of Unrivaled’s Free Throw Challenge. As long as Allisha Gray makes all her free throws—or doesn’t take any free throws—the $50,000 bag will belong to her. Gray is in first place at 14-for-14.
If she misfires, one of two players in this game could jump in and grab the $50K. Gray’s fellow Mistie Arike Ogumbowale is 9-for-9, as is her bestie Rhyne Howard. While both Rike and Rhy need to take—and make—at least one more free throw to qualify for the competition, they could be the beneficiary of a Gray miss.
If Gray misses a free throw and neither Ogunbowale or Howard reach 10-for-10 (or better), the $50,000 prize may again go to Paige Bueckers. Among currently qualified players, Paige is in second place at 16-for-17; she’ll just need to be perfect, or free throw-less, in Breeze’s evening finale.
Rose BC vs. Phantom BC (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV)
Phantom has locked up the No. 1 seed, guaranteeing themselves a bye to the semifinals in Brooklyn.
Rose’s attempt to repeat as champions will begin in the quarterfinals in the No. 4-vs.-No. 5 matchup. Currently, they’re at No. 5, and while they could usurp Breeze in the standings if they win and Breeze loses, the seeding is mostly irrelevant due to the lack of a true homecourt advantage.
Instead, Rose needs to use this game as an extra opportunity to find a rhythm, particularly by giving as much run as possible to double-big lineups with Shakira Austin and Angel Reese.
At the same time, Rose likely should monitor the energy expended by Chelsea Gray. Rose is going nowhere in the playoffs without the Point Gawd, so making sure she is as fresh and ready for Saturday night must is a priority.
Breeze BC vs. Laces BC (8:45 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV)
If Mist wins their earlier game, Laces’ fate will be determined, as they will finish the season with the No. 3 seed. In such a circumstance, it would not be surprising to see Laces take it easy. The club has had a tendency to do what they need to get the required result, without wasting much excess energy.
In the event of a Mist loss, however, Laces should be highly-motivated to blow out Breeze and book their trip to Brooklyn for the semifinals.
As mentioned above, Breeze will be meeting Rose in the first round regardless of the night’s results.
That’s an uninviting entry into the playoffs for Unrivaled’s youngest team.
With that knowledge, it might be worth experimenting with lineups and looks that could work against Rose, especially since Breeze has not played the Reese-returned version of Rose. Or, with a date with the Point Gawd, plus the likes of Angel and Kira, ahead, Breeze might opt for some active rest.
