Hive BC could not have asked for a tougher opening stretch, as back-to-back losses against Mist and Breeze exposed early issues for the newly assembled squad. Despite boasting a star-heavy roster, Hive fell short in both outings, raising questions about execution, cohesion, and how quickly the group can adjust to Unrivaled’s fast-paced 3×3 format.

The first setback came against Mist, where a late two-point jump shot from Breanna Stewart sealed the game. Just three days later, Hive struggled again, this time against Breeze, whose balanced scoring attack proved too much to overcome. Paige Bueckers and Rickea Jackson led the way with 16 points apiece, while Dominique Malonga added 15 in a 73–62 defeat.

Following the loss, Saniya Rivers, a Hive teammate of Kelsey Mitchell, offered a candid assessment of where the team must improve. Rivers emphasized that Hive’s issues were not about talent, but about consistency and collective effort.

“We want teams to feel our presence in transition,” Rivers said. “We’re one of the quickest teams in the league, but it starts with getting defensive stops so we can get out and run.”

That assessment was reflected clearly in the numbers. Hive were outrebounded 42–28, struggled to generate stops early, and failed to score a single three-pointer, finishing the game at 0.0% from deep. Those shortcomings limited their ability to play at the tempo Rivers described and forced the team into half-court situations that favored their opponents.

Rivers also pointed to Hive’s uneven performances across halves as a recurring issue. Breeze opened a commanding 42–24 lead in the first half, leaving Hive with too much ground to cover despite a stronger second-half showing.

“We can’t keep digging ourselves into holes,” Rivers said. “The second half is how we want to play the whole game, but it’s only the second half. We’ve got to put all the minutes together.”

Mitchell reinforced Rivers’ message, highlighting ball movement and shared responsibility as areas that need immediate attention in the 3×3 format.

“We’ve got to limit the one-on-one play,” Mitchell said. “It’s 3-on-3 — you’re going to get some isolation buckets, but the more we move the ball and share it, the better we’ll be.”

Hive’s offensive struggles reflected that imbalance. Too often, possessions stalled without movement, allowing Breeze to defend comfortably and control the pace. While Mitchell finished with 14 points, an improvement from her previous outing, the lack of cohesion prevented Hive from sustaining momentum.

Growing Pains for a New Group

Hive’s early struggles are magnified by the realities of being a newly formed team. Unlike more established Unrivaled squads such as Mist or Laces, Hive lacks continuity and shared experience in this condensed format. Mitchell is also working her way back into rhythm after injury, while several teammates are adjusting to Unrivaled play for the first time.

Still, there were encouraging signs. Hive’s defensive effort improved as the game progressed, led by Rivers, who finished with six blocks and two steals, the most blocks recorded by any Unrivaled player this season. Her defensive impact stood out even in defeat.

Rivers’ performance was consistent with her reputation. She earned ACC All-Defensive Team honors in both 2024 and 2025, and her defensive production carried into the professional level, where she recorded 38 total blocks, leading all rookies and guards.

Head coach Rena Wakama remained optimistic despite the results, pointing to incremental improvements and emphasizing the importance of staying unified.

“We can only go up from here,” Wakama said. “We’ve made progress from game one to game two. There’s still a lot to work on, but we’re staying committed to the process and staying together.”

With veterans like Mitchell and Monique Billings alongside emerging contributors such as Sonia Citron and Natasha Hiedeman, Hive has the personnel to turn their season around.

For now, Rivers’ comments reflect a locker room focused on accountability rather than panic. As Hive continues to adapt to Unrivaled’s unique demands, early chemistry and consistency, not star power, may determine how quickly they find their footing.