Breanna Stewart leads Mist to Unrivaled championship with 32-point performance against Phantom
Championship victory - Stewart outduels Kelsey Plum's 40-point effort as Mist capture the 2026 Unrivaled title with an 80-74 victory, adding another trophy to the co-founder's already legendary career spanning high school, college, WNBA, Olympics and international competition.
Mar 4, 2026; Miami, FL, USA; Mist basketball players celebrate after winning the Unrivaled championship game against the Phantom at Sephora Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Breanna Stewart has done it all, and now she can add Unrivaled champion to her remarkable resume. The Mist captain delivered a masterful 32-point performance to lead her team to an 80-74 victory over Phantom in Wednesday night’s championship game, capturing the title in the league she co-founded.
Stewart’s dominance was evident from the opening tip, as she scored Mist’s first 12 points of the second half to establish control. Her team, which had gone 0-2 against Phantom during the regular season, never trailed again after that pivotal stretch.
Stewart’s championship moment amid controversy
The game’s conclusion sparked debate when an offensive foul initially called on Stewart was overturned upon review, becoming a block instead. This reversal gave Stewart the free throw that sealed the championship. Just focused on doing it for my team, Stewart said after converting the crucial shot as confetti fell from the rafters.
Kelsey Plum delivered a heroic effort for Phantom, pouring in 40 points on 14-for-21 shooting while adding six rebounds and five assists. Despite her brilliant performance, it wasn’t enough to overcome Stewart’s Mist squad, which received crucial contributions from Arike Ogunbowale (19 points) and Allisha Gray (12 points).
The championship game lived up to expectations in terms of pace and excitement. Neither team led by more than seven points through three quarters, with the score tied 24-24 after the first quarter and 43-43 at halftime. Mist held a 68-62 advantage entering the untimed fourth quarter, where the first team to reach 79 points would claim victory.
What I’ll remember the most about this Mist team is we might not be the loudest, but we’re going to work the hardest, said Stewart, who was named championship game MVP. The victory allows the six Mist players to split a $600,000 winners’ pool, double the amount from the inaugural 2025 season.
For Stewart, this title represents another chapter in an unprecedented career that includes four NCAA championships at UConn, three WNBA titles, three World Cup gold medals, three Olympic gold medals, and two EuroLeague titles. There was complete faith in this group, said Mist coach Zach O’Brien. I’m just glad we got it done.
The championship comes at a crucial time for women’s professional basketball, as the WNBA and its players’ union face an uncertain future without a labor agreement for the upcoming season.
Sylvain Sultat follows the NBA on a daily basis, covering individual performances, team dynamics, and the league's greatest stories. On Be-Basketball, he breaks down the latest American basketball news with passion and consistency, always on the lookout for the trends shaping the world of basketball.
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