No Copper, no problem.
Led by the scoring efforts of guard Chelsea Gray, the Rose Basketball Club prevailed in a key matchup against the Vinyl on Tuesday. The 61-55 win was highlighted by a 16-point, 15-rebound double-double from forward Angel Reese, who either tied or exceeded her season-highs in both categories. Reese, who proved to be a consistent rebounder for the Chicago Sky in their 2024 campaign, has logged double-digit rebounds in three of her Unrivaled matchups. Guard Lexie Hull would take a starting role in the stead of guard Kahleah Copper, who sat out with a right leg injury, according to a Tuesday tweet from Unrivaled.
The Rose shot out to an impressive 17-4 lead a few minutes into the second quarter. While the Vinyl would showcase their toughness as they clawed their way back into contention by halftime, a late surge in the fourth quarter would ultimately lead the Rose to their fourth win and put them at an even record in eight games played. Gray would seal the victory with a side-stepping mid-range shot over Vinyl forward Dearica Hamby, who had an impressive night of her own on the boards as she racked up 11 rebounds.
The Rose will undergo one of their toughest tests of the season as they face the league's top squad in the Lunar Owls on Friday. The Lunar Owls remain undefeated after eight games while standing out as Unrivaled's best scoring squad under the guidance of forward Napheesa Collier. Collier, who claimed victory over Mist forward Aaliyah Edwards in last week's 1-on-1 tournament, has proven herself to be a dominant scorer as she averages an league-leading 29.3 points per game. The 4-time All-Star dropped 31 points on the Rose in their second game of the season, leaving the squad with a desperate need to lock down dominant scorers as they continue to ascend the Unrivaled standings.
The Rose will tip off against the Lunar Owls at 7:15 p.m. EST on Friday. The game will be broadcast on TNT.