n a high-stakes Unrivaled matchup that had fans buzzing, the Phantom Basketball Club pulled off a gritty 78-74 win over the visiting rose BC on Friday night at Sephora Arena. However, the celebration was tempered by concerning news: star forward Aliyah Boston was absent from the contest due to a hamstring injury sustained earlier in the week.
Boston, who has been a dominant force for Phantom BC this season—averaging 20.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.4 blocks per game—tweaked her right hamstring during an intense practice session just days prior. Team officials confirmed the injury occurred while she was defending a fast-break drill, leading to immediate precautionary measures. Phantom head coach Roneeka Hodges stated post-game, “Aliyah is our anchor on both ends. We felt her presence even from the bench tonight—her leadership, her preparation, it all carried over.”
Despite missing their All-Star caliber center, Phantom refused to fold. Kelsey Plum erupted for a game-high 28 points, including clutch threes in the final minutes, while Satou Sabally added 18 points and 9 rebounds in a versatile performance. Natasha Cloud orchestrated the offense with 12 assists, keeping the Phantom attack fluid against a physical Laces defense. The victory moves Phantom BC to the top of the standings with a strong 8-3 record, solidifying their spot in the semifinals chase.
The game itself was a back-and-forth battle. Laces jumped out to an early 12-point lead behind sharp shooting from their guards, but Phantom clawed back in the third quarter with a 15-4 run fueled by transition buckets and tough interior defense. Plum’s step-back jumper with 1:08 remaining sealed the deal, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Boston, a former WNBA Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year candidate, has been turning heads in Unrivaled’s second season. Her physicality and rim protection have made Phantom one of the league’s most feared units. Fans took to social media expressing concern, with many wishing her a speedy recovery ahead of the WNBA’s upcoming season.
The team remains optimistic. “It’s a tweak, not a tear,” a source close to the organization said. “Aliyah’s day-to-day, but we’re being smart. She’ll be back stronger.” Phantom’s next game is scheduled against Hive BC in three days, where they’ll look to maintain momentum without their star big.
For now, the “Ghost Gang” proved they have depth and resilience. But make no mistake—Phantom BC will be even more dangerous once Aliyah Boston returns to haunt the paint.
