The Rose Basketball Club will take on Phantom BC in the first game of an Unrivaled double-header on Friday. The two clubs are tied in Unrivaled's standings with records of 1-3, which puts them one game behind the Vinyl for about third place in the league. The Rose split their two matchups from last weekend, taking a promising win over the Mist before falling to the Laces two days after.
While the squad as a whole couldn't seem to find the bottom of the basket, forward Angel Reese logged a season-high 17 points in the Rose's loss to the Laces. The 2nd-year Chicago Sky forward is averaging 10.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in her first four games. Guard Kahleah Copper, who was recently joined by All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas on the Phoenix Mercury via a blockbuster trade, is leading the squad with 16 points per game.
The Rose must tap into the scoring potential of their veteran guards to claim victory over Phantom BC on Friday. The Phantom are averaging a league-worst 62.3 points and 29 rebounds per game after four matchups. The squad has finished two of their four matchups with 58 points or less, including 48 in their debut game against the Laces.
Forward Satou Sabally, a proficient shooter and scorer for the Dallas Wings, may be a player to look out for. The 6-foot-4 forward is averaging a Phantom-leading 17.8 points per game, which was only boosted by the 29 points she dropped against the Mist last week. Center Brittney Griner, who announced she would be signing with the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, may be a formidable opponent for Reese and Rose BC forward Azura Stevens.
The Rose Basketball Club will tip off against the Phantom at 7:15 p.m. EST on Friday. The game will be broadcast on TNT.