Imago
Jan 17, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Angel Reese (5) of the Rose takes a shot against the Vinyl in the first half of the Unrivaled women’s professional 3v3 basketball league at Wayfair Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Imago
Jan 17, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Angel Reese (5) of the Rose takes a shot against the Vinyl in the first half of the Unrivaled women’s professional 3v3 basketball league at Wayfair Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
“It takes every petal to make the rose.” Angel Reese didn’t just say it—she proved it. In a gritty 72-63 win over the Lunar Owls at Unrivaled, she delivered a historic 20/20 performance, out-muscling defenders and owning the glass. But this Rose has thorns, and Reese made sure her impact was felt far beyond the stat sheet. She wasn’t just another petal—she was the one holding it all together. And when the final buzzer sounded, she had more than just numbers to drop—she had a message for her doubters.
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“No. Tell them stay on that side. Please,” Reese posted on X, firing back at the critics who had doubted her ability to lead and shine on any stage. She was responding to a post by a fan who had written, “Angel Reese is exactly who she thinks she is. Don’t be on the wrong side of history when it’s said and done.”
Moreau Sports Media Prod Co further cemented the moment, posting, “Role player? Superstar, Angel Reese just made Unrivaled history as the first person to get a 20/20 game.”
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no. tell them stay on that side. please. https://t.co/YBvgXbPQF6
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) February 22, 2025
The game was close early, but Reese took over down the stretch, going back-to-back with big plays that left the Lunar Owls scrambling for answers. Collier, who had 16 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks, did her part for the Owls, but Reese’s historic night stole the show.
Chelsea Gray provided a scoring spark with 26 points and five assists, helping the Rose secure a statement win. Meanwhile, the Lunar Owls struggled to find offensive consistency despite Skylar Diggins-Smith’s 22-point effort. Allisha Gray added 19, but their combined firepower wasn’t enough to counter the sheer force of Reese’s impact.
A statement win: Reese, the Rose, and a team that believed
Reese, ever the team player, made sure to highlight her squad’s effort. “But I think everybody just came out with an extra oomph tonight. Like we knew that they were 8-0 and like we, it was nobody that believed in us outside of that locker room but us. And that’s all that matters. And Nola really emphasizes on it takes every petal to make the rose. And tonight, every single possession, every single bucket, basket, stop, rebound, steal, missed layup too. It contributed like just being able to be together at the right time. It’s just perfect.”
Imago
Jan 17, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Angel Reese (5) of the Rose takes a moment against the Vinyl during a timeout in the first half of the Unrivaled women’s professional 3v3 basketball league at Wayfair Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
The numbers tell the story: the Rose outrebounded the Owls 40-26, with Reese alone grabbing nearly as many boards as the entire opposing squad. She had eight offensive rebounds, giving her team crucial second-chance opportunities that kept momentum on their side. While the Owls shot a respectable 42.1% from the field, their three-point shooting (3-of-14) and inability to match the Rose’s physicality on the glass proved costly.
The Lunar Owls, now 8-1 after their first loss, have plenty to reflect on. With Collier and Diggins-Smith leading the charge, they remain one of Unrivaled’s top contenders, but their inability to counter Reese’s dominance is a glaring concern. On the other side, the Rose continue to build their identity around physicality, rebounding, and defensive grit. Reese embodies all of that—and then some.
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Edited by
Shivatmika Manvi