Unrivaled; What you need to know before tip off on Friday, Jan. 17

January 16, 2025

in WNBA

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January’s most anticipated inauguration is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 17 in Miami, FL.

That’s when Unrivaled finally tips off, beginning an eight-week season of 3×3 basketball featuring six teams and 36 of your favorite WNBA players. On opening night, Mist BC and Lunar Owls BC meet at 7 p.m. ET, followed by Rose BC facing off against Vinyl BC at 8 p.m. ET. Both games will be broadcast on TNT.

To prepare for big night, here’s a look at Unrivaled’s rules, as well as the six club rosters:

What to know about Unrivaled’s rules

The court

In contrast to FIBA 3×3 basketball, Unrivaled introduces a full-court 3×3 game. The court is 49.2 feet by 72 feet. As Luke Copper, Unrivaled president of basketball operations, told ESPN:

It feels like you are watching a basketball game and there just happens to be four less players on the court. It’s not a gimmick. It’s basketball with more space to operate with and a little shorter of a court, so the players have the stamina to play.

The quarters

The first three quarters of Unrivaled games will be seven minutes. The fourth quarter will feature a “winning score,” which will be determined by adding 11 points to the leading team’s total after three quarters. Unrivaled’s “winning score” is essentially the Elam Ending, which was used in the NBA All-Star Game from 2020 to 2023.

The clock

Unrivaled games will have an 18-second shot clock, rather than a 24-second clock. Games will have a running clock, which will be stopped only after made baskets in final 30 seconds of quarters.

Fouls and foul shots

In Unrivaled games, players will foul out if they receive a sixth foul, unless their team only has three available players. In that situation, the final player to accrue a sixth foul will remain in game, but her subsequent fouls will become technical fouls.

Throughout Unrivaled games, players will shoot just one foul shot when fouled. If they are fouled on a missed 2-point attempt, the free throw will be worth two points; if the foul was on a missed 3-point attempt, the free throw will be worth three points. Free throws awarded when a foul is committed on a made basketball will be worth one point.

What to know about Unrivaled’s clubs

Laces BC

Roster: Stef Dolson, Tiffany Hayes, Kate Martin, Kayla McBride, Alyssa Thomas (captain), Jackie Young

Head coach: Andrew Wade

Lunar Owls BC

Roster: Shakira Austin, Cameron Brink (out with ACL injury), Napheesa Collier (captain), Skylar Diggins-Smith, Allisha Gray, Courtney Williams

Head coach: DJ Sackmann