Meghan Townsley breaks down her prediction and pick for Monday’s Unrivaled matchup between the Laces and the Lunar Owls.
We’ve got more Unrivaled action on Monday as Season 2 rolls on, with the Laces and the Lunar Owls set to clash in an electric three-on-three showdown that pits elite talent against elite talent.
The Laces enter as 7.5-point road favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at 136.5. Let’s get into my prediction and pick for Monday’s star-powered showdown.
Laces vs. Lunar Owls Prediction
The Laces enter Monday on the heels of a heartbreaking 83–81 loss to the Mist, a game that slipped away despite Brittney Sykes pouring in 29 points. Alyssa Thomas, Jackie Young, and Maddy Siegrist all chipped in 12+ points, but Breanna Stewart’s game-sealing free throws ultimately sent the Laces home empty-handed. Now, they’ll look to bounce back against a Lunar Owls team that’s been hit hard by injuries, most notably the absence of WNBA star and Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier.
Sykes deserves the spotlight. In just 15.6 minutes, the Seattle Storm veteran knocked down 5-of-7 attempts from beyond the arc — an eye-catching performance for a player who shot 30.4% from deep in her most recent WNBA season. While that efficiency may not be fully sustainable, her aggressive scoring approach has made her the Laces’ offensive leader early on. Alyssa Thomas continues to do the dirty work inside, pulling down nine rebounds in her last outing, while Thomas and Jackie Young have driven the offense with their playmaking. Young, in particular, flashed her facilitating upside with eight assists, underscoring just how balanced this Laces roster can be when everyone is clicking.
The Lunar Owls, meanwhile, have been snakebitten by injuries from the jump. In addition to Collier’s absence, Skylar Diggins remains sidelined with a lower leg/ankle issue, leaving the Owls short-handed on both ends of the floor. Even so, Marina Mabrey has stepped up in a major way, scoring 23 points in 22.6 minutes in her season debut before erupting for 32 points against the Phantom on Saturday. Aaliyah Edwards has also been active on the glass, averaging 11.5 rebounds and 18.0 points through her first two games.
Defense, however, has been the Owls’ undoing. They gave up 94 points to the Phantom and currently sit with a league-worst -52 point differential, a troubling mark in a fast-paced three-on-three format where stops are at a premium. Unless that end of the floor improves quickly, the Owls may once again find themselves playing from behind against a Laces team eager to get back in the win column.
Laces vs. Lunar Owls Pick
At full strength, the Lunar Owls have the talent to be a real threat in this league, but in their current form, they’re a tough team to back. With Brittney Sykes shooting with confidence, and Alyssa Thomas and Jackie Young anchoring a strong, well-balanced core, the Laces appear to have a clear edge. If the Owls’ defensive struggles continue, the path is there for the Laces to take care of business Monday night.