Chelsea Gray and Angel Reese Lead Rose to Unrivaled Semifinals: A Story of Resilience and Dominance

As the clock wound down in the first half of Unrivaled's final regular-season game between Rose BC and Vinyl, Chelsea Gray demonstrated why she's known as the Point Gawd. With a series of deft moves, Gray navigated around Dearica Hamby, pulled up for a midrange jump shot, and sank it with a hand in her face. The crowd erupted as Gray calmly walked back to the bench, licking her lips in satisfaction.

Gray's Redemption Arc

Heading into Unrivaled's debut season, there were doubts about Gray's ability to perform at her peak. After a foot injury sidelined her during the 2023 WNBA Finals and the first 12 games of the 2024 season, questions loomed. Could she still dominate? Gray answered emphatically with a 33-point performance, including eight 3-pointers, against Vinyl.

"Damn Chels, that's a lot of 3s," Gray quipped post-game, a grin spreading across her face. Her resurgence has been a key factor in Rose BC's turnaround. After a rocky 1-4 start, the team went on a five-game win streak, including a victory over the league-leading Lunar Owls.

Angel Reese's Breakout Season

Angel Reese, another pivotal player for Rose BC, has also been making waves. After a challenging rookie season in the WNBA, Reese focused on improving her game and proving she's more than just a rebounder. Working closely with WNBA legend Lisa Leslie, Reese has expanded her offensive skills and become a double-double machine.

Reese finished the regular season leading the league in rebounds, averaging 12.1 per game. Her standout performance came on February 21, when she recorded a 22-point, 21-rebound game against the Lunar Owls—the first 20-20 performance in Unrivaled history.

The Road to the Semifinals

Seeded No. 2 in the playoffs, Rose BC (8-6) is set to face the No. 3 Laces (7-7) in the semifinals. The winner will advance to the title game, where they could potentially face the No. 1 Lunar Owls or No. 4 Vinyl. With Gray and Reese leading the charge, Rose BC is poised to make a deep playoff run.

"I'm always the person who believes it's not the way you start the season, it's the way you finish it," Gray said. "You want to be playing your best basketball, no matter what, going into the playoffs."

Team Chemistry and Future Prospects

The chemistry between Gray and Reese has been a cornerstone of Rose BC's success. Their ability to complement each other's strengths has been crucial. As they prepare for the semifinals, the team is focused on limiting turnovers, maintaining aggressive defense, and minimizing fouls.

"There are times when your journey, things just fall into place right away. And other times you have to fight through a little hit of adversity to get to where you want to go," said Rose coach Nola Henry. "The trust and the belief were there from Day 1."

With a shot at the inaugural Unrivaled title and an additional $50,000 in prize money on the line, Rose BC is ready to prove they are the team to beat.