MEDLEY, Fla. — The Unrivaled women’s basketball league is one game away from crowning its champion.
Chelsea Gray and the No. 2 seed Rose will likely play without Unrivaled defensive player of the year Angel Reese (hand) against Rhyne Howard, Dearica Hamby and the No. 4 seed Vinyl in the championship game Monday night.
Each player on the championship club will earn a $50,000 bonus, so there’s more than just bragging rights on the line.
The Rose and Vinyl each advanced in Sunday’s semifinal with thrilling finishes that should set the stage for a memorable championship game to end Unrivaled’s inaugural season.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Unrivaled championship game on Monday night:
What time does Unrivaled playoff game begin Monday?
The Rose and Vinyl will begin at 7:30 p.m ET.
How to watch Unrivaled championship game?
The Unrivaled title game is available on TNT and TruTV on cable television, and to live stream on Max in the United States.
Angel Reese unlikely to play in Unrivaled championship due to injury
Reese, of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, is unlikely to play in Monday’s game for the Rose club after injuring her surgically repaired left hand during the Unrivaled regular-season finale last week. Reese watched from the sidelines as the Rose beat the Lunar Owls on Sunday, wearing a brace on her left hand.
How the Rose reached Unrivaled final game
Chelsea Gray scored an Unrivaled high 39 points, including a game-winning three pointer, to help the Rose beat the No. 3 Laces 73-67 in the first semifinal Sunday. The Rose used a 23-12 third quarter to overcome a 40-27 at halftime, and outscored the Vinyl 13-5 in the fourth quarter to win despite having no other player score in double figures.
How the Vinyl reached Unrivaled final game
Dearica Hamby scored a driving layup over league MVP Napheesa Collier to help the Vinyl upset the No. 1 seed Lunar Owls 73-70 during the second semifinal game Sunday. Rhyne Howard led the Vinyl with 23 points, while Jordin Canada scored 10 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter to overcome a 62-52 deficit after the third quarter. Hamby finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds in the win. Collier scored 36 points with eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks in the loss.
Rose-Vinyl final features Unrivaled women coaches
It’s almost fitting Unrivaled’s first final will feature Rose coach Nola Henry and Vinyl coach Teresa Witherspoon — the only two women coaches in the league. Henry led the Rose to the No. 2 seed after a 1-4 start, while Witherspoon led the Vinyl to the title game as the lowest playoff seed in the four-team field.
Rose-Vinyl season series
The Rose leads the season-series over the Vinyl 2-1, heading into the Unrivaled championship game.
The Vinyl beat the Rose 79-73 on opening night (Jan. 18) behind Rhyne Howard’s 33 points with Dearica Hamby’s 17 points and 13 rebounds.
The Rose beat the Vinyl 61-55 behind Chelsea Gray’s 26 points on Feb. 18. And in the March 10 regular season finale, the Rose dominated the Vinyl 74-46.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Unrivaled championship live updates: Rose vs. Vinyl, time, TV, score
