It was impossible to predict that Rose Club, which started the unparalleled season 2-4, and Vinyl, who lost the final three games after 5-9, would face off in an unparalleled championship.
But the unpredictability of basketball is part of what was so loved about the sport, and against all possibilities, the two unparalleled clubs will face off in the title game after winning a massive semi-final.
Rose was won by Chelsea Gray, who scored 39 league records and 3 pointers in the game. Rhyne HowardJordin Canada and Dearica Hamby sealed the game with a driving layup.
Perhaps most shockingly, after dominating the competition throughout the season, the moon's owl, who was an overwhelming favorite to win everything, will lose only their second game of the year, but nevertheless, it is eliminated thanks to Unralied's single elimination format.
Chelsea Gray leads the roses in an unparalleled championship
Chelsea Gray has played at another level in recent weeks and she will be key to whether Rose can win it all on Monday. She scored over 26 points in seven of her last eight games, and over 33 points in three of her last five games.
If the vinyl wants to slow the roses, it starts and ends with grey. No other Rose players scored more than eight points in Sunday's semi-finals. Plus, Angel Reese is out with a hand injury, but Naz Hillmon has proven to be a great pick-up in her place. Limiting her influence around the basket is also the key to vinyl.
Azrast StevensLexie Hal, and Britney Sykes We conclude the Rose roster. Stevens continues to see greater opportunities as Reese stands by and sees greater offensive loads at any time. She scored just six points on Sunday, but she tallied 14 or more points on five of her previous seven outings.
On the other side, the Humvee is the key to the vinyl. She was able to dominate the post from time to time this season. Howard was the league's fourth leading scorer this season, averaging 20.5 points per game, but has mixed in with some great performances (such as 12-24 shots on March 8th and 37 points on the Phantom), with some awful things (2-20 shooting vs. roses two days later). Howard can usually make you look beautiful. The question is whether the shot will fall when the other lights are at the brightest.
The X-factor of vinyl is Jordyn Canada
Jordin Canada made the biggest difference to vinyl against the owls of the moon. Canada averaged only 9.6 points per game this season, but they put together the best performances of the season, where the season is most important, scoring a season-high 21 points, shooting three of three out of three.
The Atlanta Dream Guard is unknown for her three-point shooting – she shot 24.4% from across her arc WNBA Career – But she hit her open looks on Sunday night, and it made all the difference.
Canada is also a powerful defender who should be able to hold the boundary line. She may be Gray's main defender, but nonetheless, she has to limit her every time she switches to her. If Canada can attack the jumpers and put together another powerful offensive performance, vinyl could shock the world and turn a 5-9 regular season record into a championship.
