Phantom BC vs Laces BC Prediction and Preview for Jan. 18 | Unrivaled 2025

Phantom BC and Laces BC make their debut Unrivaled debut on Saturday. Following the resounding success of the Friday opener, the Satou Sabally-led team and the Alyssa Thomas-anchored squad will hope to live up to the hype.

Adam Harrington will guide Phantom in the highly anticipated matchup. Joining Sabally on the roster are Natasha Cloud, Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu and Katie Lou Samuelson. Marina Mabrey, who's dealing with a calf injury, will sit to start the tournament. Natisha Hiedeman of the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA will take her place.

The Andre Wade-coached Laces, meanwhile, will be bannered by Thomas, the Connecticut Sun franchise cornerstone. Thomas’ teammates include Stefanie Dolson, Tiffany Hayes, Kate Martin, Kayla McBride and Jackie Young.

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Phantom BC vs Laces BC preview, prediction and predicted starting lineups

The Wayfair Arena in Miami will host the Phantom-Laces showdown. Basketball fans can catch the action via tru TV and Max starting at 2 p.m. ET.

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Phantom BC vs Laces BC preview

Losing Marina Mabrey to an injury could be a big factor going against Phantom. The sharp-shooting guard averaged 42.4% from deep last season in the WNBA and is a career 36.5% shooter.

As the opening two games showed, gunners can thrive in a 3x3 setting while using a full-court style game. Phantom’s outside bombs could fall entirely on the shoulders of Sabrina Ionescu, one of the best snipers in WNBA history.

Going inside the paint isn’t too bad of a consolation for Adam Harrington because the towering Brittney Griner is a handful in the post. Satou Sabally could also do damage inside when needed. It remains to be seen how Harrington will utilize the roster on the team’s debut.

Meanwhile, the Laces could have the headstart in chemistry over any team in the Unrivaled. Tiffany Hayes, Jackie Young and Kate Martin played for the Las Vegas Aces last season. Young also teamed up with Kayla McBride for two seasons with the Aces.

Andre Wade’s roster, on paper, seems well-built to match up against any team and play any style. Wade could start small by surrounding Thomas with Young and Hayes.

He could also go with a big frontcourt featuring Thomas and Stefanie Dolson with any of the shooters around them. Sue Bird considered them the early favorites to win the championship.

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Phantom BC vs Laces BC predicted starting lineup

Adam Harrington could start with any combination he wants. Phantom BC looks formidable if Harrington has Satou Sabally, Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Cloud on the floor.

Andrew Wade could counter with Alyssa Thomas, Kyla McBride and Jackie Young.

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Phantom BC vs Laces BC prediction

Laces BC have good familiarity right out of the gate and have a well-rounded lineup that could debut with a win against Phantom BC.