Chelsea Gray Proves Her Worth in Unrivaled Championship Game

Chelsea Gray demonstrated her prowess on the court, proving that despite an injury-plagued season in the WNBA, she remains one of basketball’s elite players.

Chelsea Gray entered the Unrivaled championship facing questions about her status among the top players in the WNBA.

The Las Vegas Aces star concluded the season as a champion, capping off a remarkable month of basketball with a league-record 39 points in the semifinals, followed by an impressive 18-point, 8-assist performance in the championship game.

After debates about whether Gray’s best days were behind her, it became obvious that few guards, if any, can match her skills in women’s basketball.

Gray overcame first-half shooting challenges to net 15 points in the second half, including a spectacular halfcourt shot at the end of the third quarter, giving the Rose a crucial edge going into the final period.

Thanks in large part to Gray’s performance, the Rose triumphed over the Vinyl with a score of 62-52, capturing the inaugural Unrivaled championship. Gray was honored as the Unrivaled Finals MVP, averaging 29.5 points throughout the playoffs and shooting an impressive 44% from beyond the arc.

“Just a testament to my work that I’ve been putting in this whole year,” Gray expressed in TNT’s postgame celebration. “And a testament to my team, man.”

First-time head coach Nola Henry lauded the veteran guard, stating, “Chelsea carried us on her back all season long.”

How Chelsea Gray and the Rose Club Achieved Victory

It wasn’t just Chelsea Gray who shined for the Rose in the championship match. Brittney Sykes contributed significantly with 21 points, sealing the victory with a critical and-one drive. Azura Stevens added 19 points and 16 rebounds, helping the team overcome the absence of All-Stars Kahleah Copper and Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese to clinch the title.

“Obviously, Angel’s not here,” Stevens noted during TNT’s championship presentation. “So, being the other big, I just had to step up… so happy and proud of my team.”

The squad turned around a rocky 2-4 start, finishing the season 8-6, earning the second-best record in the league. This positioned them to face the Laces in the first playoff round, whom they defeated en route to the championship.

“Just a team full of relentless dawgs that refuse to be denied,” Henry stated.

The Vinyl’s Championship Aspirations Fall Short

Conversely, the Vinyl achieved the most significant upset of the year by defeating the Lunar Owls, who boasted a 13-1 regular season record. Despite finishing 5-9, the Vinyl showcased a balanced attack led by Dearica Hamby, Jordin Canada, and Rhyne Howard to reach the championship.

However, Hamby was limited to just 8 points during the championship, while Howard struggled, shooting 8-22 for 22 points; Canada couldn’t replicate her semifinal shooting success, connecting on only 3 of 12 attempts.

Ultimately, the Rose emerged as champions.

During the championship celebration, Chelsea Gray proudly displayed a shirt listing preseason rankings that predicted the Rose would finish last overall among six teams.

Gray wasn’t surprised by the outcome.

“I put in the work,” she asserted. “I know it’s going to come to fruition.”