Paige Bueckers' second match in the Unrivaled 2026 season solidified her status a major Breeze asset, as the No. 5 lead her side to a victory against Hive.

In the clash of the expansion teams, the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year took Breeze's 2026 season's stat to 2-0 as her team defeated Hive 73-62 on January 9 at the Sephora Arena in Miami, Florida. 'Buckets' and Co. stuffed the box score with 10 of 12 free throws, 31 defensive rebounds, and 11 assists.

At the centre of it all was Bueckers with a 50% shooting efficiency, 6 assists, 16 points, 1 block, and a game-winner two-point jump shot in the last seconds of the fourth quarter. She also bagged the Player of the Game title for her incredible performance.

Breeze forward, Rickea Jackson matched Bueckers' 16 points while another forward, Cameron Brink, put up 14. Rookie Dominique Malonga also contributed with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Kate Martin pulled a buzzer-beater at halftime to give the Breeze a 42-24 lead.

Hive also had their moments as All-Rook Sonia Citron made 16 points and Kelsey Mitchell posted 14. However, they failed to match the vitality and chemistry of the Breeze women, ultimately losing the contest.

Bueckers and Co.'s second consecutive victory has propelled the side to the third spot in the ongoing season of Unrivaled. However, while the 2026 season marks Bueckers' debut season at Unrivaled, the 24-year-old has already noticed a significant difference between the league and the WNBA.

Paige Bueckers calls Unrivaled tougher than the WNBA in one discipline

Just like her position in Breeze, Bueckers is also a crucial player for her WNBA side, the Dallas Wings. Two days ago, 'Buckets' compared her experiences in the Unrivaled and WNBA leagues to make an honest revelation.

While talking to Candace Parker, she said, “The physicality… in Unrivaled, I feel like it’s even more physical than that [WNBA]. You’re basically on an island… you’re going to have to be okay with getting cooked.”

While Unrivaled’s opening-day viewership dipped from last season, performances like Bueckers’ are exactly what the league and her side, Breeze, needs. The defending champions, Rose, are the next in line.

Written by

Fatema Kapasi

Edited by

Souvik Roy