Unrivaled co-founder embarrassed in own $200k contest as fans call for NBA to introduce thrilling 1-on-1 tournament for All-Star weekend

Unrivaled delivered a huge shock.

The off-season professional women’s league, full of WNBA stars, is in its fifth week and fans finally got to see the highly anticipated 1-on-1 tournament.

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1-on-1s represent the very essence of basketball culture, and some of the biggest WNBA stars competed against each other for the chance to win a huge cash prize.

Players compete in single-elimination games to 11 points as they battle through each round in order to win the $200,000 prize that will be given to the eventual winner.

The runner-up also gets $50,000 and semifinalists earn $25,000, while each of the winner’s Unrivaled teammates take home $10,000.

From Monday’s first-round games, Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Rhyne Howard, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Allisha Gray, Rickea Jackson and Shakira Austin are all moving on to the second round.

The biggest upset came when Breanna Stewart, the co-founder of Unrivaled and a three-time WNBA champion, was dumped out in the first round of the 1-on-1 tournament in unforgiving fashion.

‘Stewie’ lost to her own Unrivaled teammate Aliyah Edwards, 12-0, in an utterly embarrassing match for the reigning WNBA champion, who many deem to be one of the best players in WNBA history.

“Lee was hot. She was just being aggressive and I’m happy for her. It sucks that I only had one shot, but Lee deserved it,” Stewart told reporters after the defeat.

Meanwhile, Edwards, who was sad to see Stewart exit, was left shocked after the match that saw her concede not a single basket.

“That was crazy. My strategy was to trust my shot first, then get a couple buckets at the rim where I’m comfortable,” Edwards said after her win.

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“But I was just ready for the moment, I’m sad it had to be against Stewie. I feel like it was a set-up. But Misties and UConn for life.”

Another upset occurred when seventh seed Shakira Austin defeated second seed Chelsea Gray 12-2.

Basketball fans enjoyed the action in Miami so much that some took to social media to demand the NBA brings their own version of the 1-on-1 tournament to All-Star weekend, which takes place this weekend in San Francisco.

“The NBA should be watching Unrivaled and add that 1v1 to all star weekend,” one fan posted on X.

“Listen the NBA needs to fix up. The W are doing 1v1 with no problems. How is this not an all star weekend thing?” another fan posted.

“Imagine the NBA did this,” another added.

“The nba needs this. This is actually the most exciting thing the wnba has ever done,” a fourth added.

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The NBA All-Star Game has been hammered in recent years.

Last year’s showpiece, which takes place on the Sunday of All-Star Weekend, saw the Eastern Conference defeat the Western Conference 211–186 — the most points ever scored by a team at an All-Star Game, and the most combined points scored by both teams (397).

The rate of scoring and overall lack of defense has had a detrimental effect on the exhibition event, reflected in the dwindling viewership figures year upon year.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has tried to address the apathy around the All-Star Game with a brand new format and rules, set to debut this weekend.

The usual marquee events, particularly the once-iconic Slam Dunk contest, have also been panned, mostly due to the lack of superstar names taking part and difficulty players have in coming up with new dunk ideas that haven’t already been seen hundreds of times before.

A 1-on-1 style tournament would be a hugely exciting addition to the NBA’s All-Star festivities, but one that’s unlikely to be introduced any time soon.

Why? NBA superstars would be petrified of getting humiliated in front of a global audience, similar to what Stewart experienced during her 1-on-1 matchup.

“If fans think NBA players are scared of entering the dunk contest…” one fan joked.

Unrivaled’s 1-on-1 action continues Tuesday before pausing until Friday where the winner will be crowned.