The primary spherical of Unmatched’s 1v1 event is full, and from it, eight WNBA gamers advance: Napheesa Collier, Shakira Austin, Kahleah Copper, Rhyne Howard, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Allisha Grey, Rickea Jackson, and Breanna Stewart.
Video games had been performed to 11 factors, or 10 minutes, whichever got here first. All however two of the sport’s higher-seeded gamers (Chelsea Grey, Jackie Younger) superior to the subsequent spherical, which is slated for Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Right here’s who received Unmatched’s first-round 1v1 matchups
Napheesa Collier defeats Katie Lue Samuelson, 12-6: Napheesa Collier has been Unmatched’s most dominant participant, so it was no shock that she was capable of come away with a win right here. Nonetheless, her former UConn teammate Katie Lou Samuelson put up a combat within the evening’s first 1-on-1 matchup.
Shakira Austin beats Chelsea Grey 12-2: The 6’5 Shakira Austin leveraged her dimension in opposition to Aces level guard Shakira Austin to come back away with an upset victory and advance. Austin, a 24-year-old middle on the Washington Mystics, will advance to the subsequent spherical of the event.
Kahleah Copper beats Aliyah Boston 11-6: At her finest, Kahleah Copper is among the finest scorers within the sport — and he or she showcased that in opposition to Aliyah Boston regardless of Boston’s four-inch peak benefit.
Rhyne Howard beats Lexie Hull 12-7: Hull tallied 7 factors within the loss to Rhyne Howard — essentially the most by any dropping participant — nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to beat Howard’s shotmaking.
Skylar Diggins-Smith defeats Dearica Hamby 11-3: Diggins-Smith had a considerable dimension drawback on this one — she’s 5’9 and Hamby is 6’3 — however she was nonetheless capable of come away with the big-time win over Hamby, Unmatched’s third-leading scorer to this point.
Allisha Grey beats Jordin Canada 11-4: Allisha Grey obtained the higher of Atlanta Dream teammate Jordin Canada and ran away with an 11-4 win. It’s no shock contemplating Grey’s play at Unmatched; she’s Unmatched’s third-leading scorer this season, averaging 19.5 factors. And, Grey relishes the competitors — she received each the abilities problem and the three-point contest at WNBA All-Star weekend final yr.
Rickea Jackson beats Jackie Younger 11-3: The rookie upset the veteran with a dominant victory. Jackson, a deadly midrange scorer, obtained on a roll in opposition to Younger, who has missed a lot of the Unmatched season with a leg damage to this point.
Aaliyah Edwards beats Breanna Stewart 12-0: In maybe essentially the most beautiful consequence of the evening, Mystics rookie Aaliyah Edwards swept two-time MVP Breanna Stewart to mark the evening’s third upset.
The subsequent spherical of Unmatched’s 1v1 event can be held on Feb. 11. Moreover for the winners, seven further gamers will take part who had a bye within the first spherical, primarily as a result of a slew of accidents. These gamers are: Arike Ogunbowale, Rae Burrell, Azura Stevens, Courtney Williams, Satou Sabally, and DiJonai Carrington.
All of these gamers — along with Monday’s winners — are within the combine for a $200,000 money prize. As well as, the final 4 gamers standing will every get $25,000, whereas the event runner-up will make $50,000. Sport play continues Tuesday.
