Paige Bueckers got unfiltered with Aari McDonald and Rachel Benham about her Unrivaled experience so far on January 15. And it was something even the WNBA's 2025 Rookie of the Year found challenging.

“The conditioning aspect of it was pretty brutal”, Bueckers stated. And this was right after Breeze’s 73-62 win against Hive.

“When you start a game, and you're just gassed, like you're winded. And then by the time the fourth quarter came, like you're still gassed, and you're still winded,” she said during the Aari & Rachel Unfiltered Podcast.

After her debut match against Phantom, Bueckers shared similar words with former WNBA star Candace Parker. The 5v5 setting of WNBA is less physically demanding than the 3v3 format at Unrivaled. The 18-second shot clock and smaller court are just the cherry on top.  

"We all know that the WNBA is physical, but Unrivaled, I feel, is even more physical than that. And then not being able to have help side, you're basically on an island. So, at points, you're gonna have to be okay with getting cooked," Bueckers added.

However, Bueckers’ stats are ridiculously crisp. She managed 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game for Wings. And for Breeze, the numbers go about 20 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Bueckers racked up a double-double in her second game, summing up 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Unrivaled as an excellent Warm-Up for the Pros

Bueckers wasn’t unfamiliar with the 3v3 when she entered the league and the challenge it would provide.

It’s a place where “You wear defense with pride and try to just defend on the island and guard your yard and keep people in front of you,” as Bueckers said.

“These are the best women in the world, and you're competing against them, so that's a lot different, for sure”, she stated. So it's safe to say that playing in Unrivaled is the best practice she can get before the 2026 WNBA season eventually begins.

Yet, what do you think? Will the Wings star bring an even more improved version on the WNBA court in 2026? Tell us in the comments.

Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi