An and-1 from Brittney Sykes secured Rose the first championship in Unrivaled history, sealing the 62-54 win over Vinyl.
After Chelsea Gray scored an Unrivaled-record 39 points in Rose’s semifinal win over Laces, Vinyl prioritized slowing down the Point Gawd. Even before sinking the game winner, Sykes stepped up, scoring a season-best 21 points. In the continued absence of Angel Reese, sidelined for the playoffs due to a hand injury, Azurá Stevens also elevated her play, posting a monster 19-point and 18-rebound double-double in the final. Yet Gray, who was named MVP of the playoffs, could not be entirely neutralized, ending the night with 18 points and eight assists for the champions.
Swish Appeal’s contributing photographer Christina Merrion was in Miami for the history-making championship, capturing Rose celebrating their win—as well as the $50,000-per-player prize:
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