PHILADELPHIA — It was all on Natasha Cloud’s face. 

As the Liberty guard stood on the Xfinity Mobile Arena court, soaking in the crowd after her Phantom took down the Breeze, tears flowed as emotion took over in her home city Friday. 

Philly proved to be Unrivaled in the 3-on-3, Miami-based league’s first one-night-only, two-game tour stop amid its second season after it was co-founded by Napheesa Collier and Liberty star Breanna Stewart in 2025. 

The barnstorming stop was set up as a test for Unrivaled as an alternative women’s professional league, and it passed in a city that has not seen that level of play since 1998. 

“This is my city. I love my city so much. Seeing signs, like as a mid-major kid,” said Cloud on the broadcast, “man, I love the city. … Young Tash would be really proud.” 

Paige Bueckers of the Breeze controls the ball ahead of Jackie Young of the Laces during the first half at Sephora Arena on January 26, 2026 in Medley, Florida. Getty Images

Kahleah Copper and Natasha Cloud pose for a photo during the game between the Sacramento Kings and the Philadelphia 76ers on January 29, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NBAE via Getty Images

The crowd, which featured Philadelphia legend and three-time NCAA champion coach Dawn Staley, came with electrifying energy and hardly left their seats. They were here for the love of the game. 

It proved to be a 21,490-seat sellout, setting the all-time record for the best-attended regular-season professional women’s basketball game as well as the record for the most-attended event to date at Xfinity — and in a city that is set to host a WNBA expansion team in 2030. 

“Even when we were warming up, the crowd was screaming and they were just really there to support,” Breeze player Paige Bueckers said. “And you look up in the stands and you see so many different colored jerseys because there’s just so many women to support and so that’s really, really huge and it’s beautiful to see.” 

Annabelle (right), who is a huge Paige Bueckers fan, with mother, Roselyn. Bridget Reilly/New York Post

Bueckers fan Annabelle and her mother, Roslyn, of New York, booked resale tickets this week to see her Annabelle’s favorite player for a fourth time. 

“Well, I knew since it’s the one time it’s not in Miami, people are going to take this opportunity, but I didn’t think it was going to be this crazy,” Annabelle told The Post. 

Avid Unrivaled fan Lauren and her husband, Steve, of Bensalem, Pa., arrived on the scene due to the former’s love for women’s sports, especially basketball. 

“As soon as it was announced, we were on that day getting tickets,” Lauren said. 

The merch lines were proof of commitment in itself, as they zig-zagged endlessly before tipoff among photo ops, a DJ booth, and basketball hoops. It was easier to get food or a drink than a jersey or a jump shot. 

Lauren and her husband Steve, who live in Pennsylvania Bridget Reilly/New York Post

On Friday morning, Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell addressed the media and said, “We will be doing more of these in the future.” If the double-header provided anything, it was confirmation that the move would be the right one.