Breanna Stewart scores first basket in unsurpassed history in debut in 3-on-3 women’s league

MIAMI (AP) — Unbeatable shone brightly on its opening night.

3-on-3 women’s basketball league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier debuted Friday night. The two squared off in the opening game, and fittingly, Stewart scored the first basket in league history — a baseline jumper. However, Collier’s team got the last laugh as they rallied to win the opening game.

“I think it was a great first game that just showed what we can do and what the experience can be,” Collier said after the 84-80 win.

The idea for the domestic league was first discussed a few years ago, and now it has become a reality.

“I can’t even put into words what it’s going to be like,” Stewart said. “But just the fact that there’s so much hype, there’s so much content, so much talk about opening night and we worked really hard to get to this point both on and off the field. Excited to just go in and show , what we have done.”

The league featuring 36 of the best players in the WNBA, including Brittney Griner and sensational rookie Angel Reese, who was definitely a crowd favorite.

Fans lined up in a light rain before the game and took advantage of an area outside the venue that had a basketball challenge, a basketball throne and other activities.

“I love the WNBA and love the innovation that Napheesa and Stewie brought to women’s basketball,” said fan Charlene Lewis, who traveled from Maryland for the games. “I thought it was really cool. It’s a new league, something you’ve never heard of. I feel like they made history by creating a whole new league.”

The intimate Miami venue, which was created in about six weeks and seats about 850 fans, was packed. The farthest seat is about 30 feet from the court. The crowd cheered pretty much every play as they didn’t really have an affiliation with either team.

The games were played on a court it is about 20 feet shorter than the WNBA court, but it is full court 3-on-3.

“There’s not really a time when you take a possession away. There’s only three players on the floor,” said Chelsea Gray, who plays for Rose. “It’s a little different from that perspective. But you have to be in shape to be able to play this game.”

There were three seven-minute quarters, and then the fourth quarter was played to a “winning score”. That score is decided by adding 11 points to the leading team’s score after three quarters. The intensity picked up in the fourth quarter in both games.

In the opener, Stewart’s Mist team led 73-67 heading into the final period before Skylar Diggins-Smith rallied the Lunar Owls to an 84-80 victory. Diggins-Smith hit back-to-back 3-pointers, including the game winnerto make the comeback.

She was shaking after the shot went through the net at center court.

“This atmosphere was electric,” Diggins-Smith said. “We’re going to celebrate this one tonight.”

Jewell Loyd led the Mist with 30 points, while Collier had 27 for the Lunar Owls in the fast-paced game.

In the second game, Rhyne Howard scored 33 points to lead Vinyl to a 79-73 victory over Rose. Vinyl was up 67-58 heading into the final quarter and held on for the win. Reese had 10 points and 14 rebounds for Rose.

Lisa Leslie, one of the analysts for the broadcast on TNT and TruTV, was there at the beginning of the WNBA. Now she is here for the launch of this league.

“It’s unprecedented and unparalleled for the women to have such a first-class experience in every way,” she told The Associated Press. “It’s different from my first season in the WNBA where we shared the locker room with the Lakers, which is also a great experience. This is just different and it’s just time like they have their own facilities, their own weight room and massage. This is so first class.”

The pregame introductions had an All-Star Games feel, with players emerging from a center court stage through a smoke show. Stewart and Collier then took a photo at halfcourt with league commissioner Micky Lawler.

Hot ticket

Opening night tickets went for nearly $500 on the secondary market, with top seats going for $727, according to Gametime.

Faces in the crowd

Investors including former US Women’s National Soccer Team captain Alex Morgan and former NBA All-Star Steve Nash were there for the opening night, as well as WNBA player Nneka Ogwumike, who is president of the WNBA players’ union.

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AP video reporter Brittany Peterson contributed to this story.

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This story is part of AP’s Inclusive Journalism Initiative with The Maynard Institute for Journalism Education and The Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting.

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