The wait is over! Unrivaled is back! After an electrifying mid-season 1v1 tournament that saw co-founder Napheesa Collier claim the crown, the league is set to resume action today. But beyond the excitement, there lies an upset.

Tonight’s Unrivaled double header is set to bring the fireworks! Rose BC and Vinyl BC tip things off in  battle for momentum, while Phantom BC and a banged-up Laces BC squad close out the night. But for Laces BC fans, the injury woes continue. Three players are officially sidelined, and two more remain game-time decisions.

Kate Martin, who has been impressive in the Unrivaled this season, missed the 1v1 tournament due to an injury and it turns out she is missing tonight’s game as well. According to WNBA writer Myles Ehrlich, Kate Martin is set to miss tonight’s game with a lower leg injury!

Laces BC is also without Tiffany Hayes and Alyssa Thomas, while Jackie Young and Kayla McBride remain questionable for tonight’s matchup. Injuries have already forced them to have a game against Vinyl BC canceled earlier this season, and the team has been scrambling for reinforcements ever since.

In a desperate bid to fill out their roster, Laces BC has made yet another bold move. After securing Kiki Jefferson as a relief player, they’ve now signed WNBA champion and All-Star forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton to a Relief Player Contract. But that’s not all. Natisha Hiedeman, who originally signed as a relief player for Phantom BC, will also suit up for the Laces tonight to help them meet the minimum player requirement.

Kate Martin fans will certainly be disappointed tonight as the standout player won’t be taking the court. Despite averaging an impressive 7.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game this season, all in just 11 minutes per game, Martin has been a revelation for her team. Her absence will leave a noticeable void, and fans will be left hoping to see her back on the court soon.

With the WNBA season just a few months away, Kate Martin is gearing up for a fresh start, as she will soon be donning the Valkyries’ colors instead of the Aces. Let’s take a look at what she had to say following her move to the Valkyries!

Martin, who formed an electric backcourt duo with Caitlin Clark during their Iowa Hawkeyes days, was drafted by the Las Vegas Aces last year. While injuries sidelined her for a spell and kept her from starting due to the Aces’ stacked roster, she still showcased enough raw talent in her rookie season to quickly become a fan favorite!

Aces fans were left heartbroken when the talented 24-year-old guard Kate Martin was selected by the newly formed Golden State Valkyries, who saw her potential and chose her as one of their key picks to build their roster. Martin wasted no time expressing her excitement about the new chapter in her career.

She shared, “I’m really excited,” “This league is all about opportunity, and you just need one shot, right? I’m very thankful for the Aces and everything I got to learn there, but I’m really excited for this new beginning and to build something from the ground up with the Valkyries.”

Angel Reese continues to ramp up pressure on Unrivaled with demand to remove Kate Martin from the league

WNBA star Angel Reese is intensifying her stance against Unrivaled Basketball, pushing for the removal of former Iowa standout Kate Martin from the league. Reese has accused Martin of playing dirty and has made it clear that she’s unwilling to share the court with her.

“It’s either me or her,” Reese reportedly stated. “If she stays, I’ll bounce.”

The tension between Reese and Martin stems from their collegiate rivalry, which saw intense matchups when Reese played for LSU and Martin for Iowa. While physicality is expected in high-stakes games, Reese has been vocal about her belief that Martin crosses the line.

Unrivaled, a newly formed women’s basketball league aiming to provide top-tier competition outside the WNBA, now finds itself at the center of controversy. The league, co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, has been focused on attracting elite talent, and losing a player of Reese’s caliber would be a significant blow.

Fans and analysts are split on the situation. Some believe Reese is justified in her demands, arguing that a league promoting fair play shouldn’t tolerate dirty tactics. Others feel that personal rivalries shouldn’t dictate league decisions and that Reese should focus on competing rather than making ultimatums.

Unrivaled has yet to make an official statement regarding Reese’s demands. However, with the growing buzz surrounding the situation, a decision may need to be made soon—one that could impact the league’s credibility and player dynamics moving forward.

Will Unrivaled side with Reese, or will they stand firm in keeping Martin on the roster? One thing is certain: this drama is far from over.