Monday, January 5th

Mist vs Hive

The Mist are stacked with a GOAT (Stewie), a defensive menace (Alanna Smith) and arguably the most clutch player in women's hoops (Arike). The Hive, in their inaugural season, come equipped with one of the best guards in the game (Kelsey Mitchell), a future face of the league (Sonia Citron) and a defensive anchor (Ezi Magbegor). If Hive wants to pull off the opening day dub, they'll have to get around 6'7" Li Yueru and 6'4" Stewie (who has a 7'1" wingspan). Monique Billings and Ezi (both 6'4") will have their work cut out, but with snipers like Kelsey, Sonia and Natisha Heidemen, anything's possible.

Prediction: Mist

Top Scorer: Arike Ogunbowale

Vinyl vs Laces

Alyssa Thomas & the Laces have a roster who many believe could go all the way. They have size, speed and unmatched physicality. Jordin Canada is one of the quickest players in the league, Jackie Young brings knockdown shooting and Naz Hillmon is a Swiss-Army knife of talent. They also have an Unrivaled champ on board in Brittney Sykes. While there's certainly a lot to contain, Vinyl BC has some major players of their own! 6'9" force BG is a tough assignment for anyone, Dearica Hamby is constantly in the conversation for one of the best players in women's hoops today, Rhyne Howard is a two-way stud and Courtney Williams is a fan-favorite and comes equipped with arguably the best mid-range shot in the league.

Prediction: Laces

Top Scorer: Jackie Young

Lunar Owls vs Rose

The defending champs bring back playmaking wizard Chelsea Gray, the ever-versatile Azurá Stevens, fan favorite Lexie Hull and speed demon Kahleah Copper. They'll be tested from the jump, facing a well balanced Owls squad that features 6’4” Temi Fagbenle (replacing Napheesa Collier), arc assassin Marina Mabrey and two-way terror Skylar Diggins. Having to contain Sky is a challenging assignment in itself! Rachel Banham can light it up in a hurry from outside and Aaliyah Edwards may just be this team's x-factor going forward.

Prediction: Rose

Top Scorer: Azurá Stevens

Phantom vs Breeze

Breeze BC might just be the most exciting team on paper. They enter their inaugural season with Paige Bucket Bueckers, who'll likely be the focal point of their offense. A strong supporting cast boasts a defensive juggernaut in Cameron Brink, French phenom Dominique Malonga, speedy guard Aari McDonald, fan favorite Kate Martin and big shot-maker Rickea Jackson. This team has a lot of options. So many weapons offensively and defensively! The Phantom have quite an exciting lineup of their own, with electric guards Kelsey Plum, Natasha Cloud and Dana Evans, double-double machines Aliyah Boston and KiKi Iriafen, and a season-vet in Tip Hayes. This battle could very well be won on the glass.

Prediction: Breeze

Top Scorer: Dominique Malonga