Breanna Stewart stars as Mist beat Phantom to win Unrivaled title
Breanna Stewart scored 32 points to lead Mist to the 2026 Unrivaled championship with an 80-74 victory over top seeds Phantom.
The league co-founder was named MVP of the final after guiding her team to the title in Medley, Florida on Wednesday night.
Stewart seized control of the game by scoring Mist’s first 12 points of the second half to overcome a side they had lost to twice during the regular season.
Plum heroics in vain
Phantom guard Kelsey Plum produced a formidable individual display, finishing with a game-high 40 points on 14-for-21 shooting.
Despite adding six rebounds and five assists, Plum’s efforts were not enough to secure the trophy.
Arike Ogunbowale added 19 points and Allisha Gray contributed 12 for Mist, ensuring the team split the $600,000 winners’ pool.
Dramatic conclusion
The contest ended in controversial fashion when an offensive foul originally called against Stewart was overturned to a blocking foul following a video review.
That decision allowed the three-time WNBA champion to sink the decisive free throw to seal the victory.
“What I’ll remember the most about this Mist team is we might not be the loudest, but we’re going to work the hardest.”
Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled champion
“Just focused on doing it for my team,” Stewart added regarding her performance.
Stewart adds to legacy amid WNBA uncertainty
Victory adds another accolade to the Syracuse native’s extensive collection, which already includes four NCAA titles, three Olympic gold medals and two EuroLeague crowns.
The 3-on-3 league, played on a shortened 72-foot court with an 18-second shot clock, was established by Stewart and Napheesa Collier to provide competition during the traditional off-season.
However, this final could mark the last professional women’s basketball game in the United States for the immediate future.
The WNBA and its players’ union have yet to agree on a new labour deal for the upcoming season, which is scheduled to begin in two months.