Aliyah Boston was dominant this winter and picked up the league\u2019s Defensive Player of the Year award for her work with the Phantom. In the Unrivaled Basketball League, she led the competition with 2.1 blocks per game. She averaged 18.9 points, shot 55% from the field and 81.5% from the free-throw line, and ranked among the top rebounders. The Phantom finished with the No. 1 seed and earned a first-round bye.<\/p>\n
Now the news turns grim. Boston has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a right lower-extremity injury. That means she will miss the upcoming WNBA campaign and the Phantom\u2019s deep postseason push. The timing hurts. The WNBA season was set to begin soon and Boston was expected to be a key piece for her pro team.<\/p>\n
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Aliyah Boston has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to right lower extremity injury. pic.twitter.com\/5sHea38iHP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) March 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Boston\u2019s resume is clear. She was the top pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft and has been a three-time WNBA All-Star starter. She earned Rookie of the Year honors and has become a consistent two-way force. This past Unrivaled run also earned her a spot on the All-Unrivaled second team, a selection that drew some fan criticism.<\/p>\n Her defensive impact was obvious. The Phantom allowed 66.5 points per game and just one point per shot attempt. Boston also averaged nearly eight defensive rebounds and led the league with three \u201cstocks\u201d per game. She stayed under three fouls per game, showing discipline for a rim protector.<\/p>\n MORE: Women\u2019s stars divided on CBA talks as potential 2026 WNBA season strike looms<\/a><\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Boston was expected to join Team USA for March training camp. With this injury, that appearance is now in doubt. Recovery timelines are unclear beyond the team\u2019s ruling that she\u2019s out for the season. Fans and coaches will now wait and hope for a full return next year.<\/p>\n \u2014 Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n NFL: 2026 NFL salary cap space rankings by team<\/a><\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n NHL: Auston Matthews\u2019 Olympic gold, Donald Trump visit, draws surprising reaction in Toronto<\/a><\/p>\n MLB: Dodgers manager bothered by Tanner Scott quote<\/a><\/p>\n ENTERTAINMENT: Team USA hockey stars set for \u2018SNL\u2019 cameo after Winter Olympics<\/a><\/p>\n SPORTS MEDIA: NBC Sunday Night Football set to make major change for 2026 NFL season<\/a><\/p>\n WORLD CUP: Iran could withdraw from 2026 FIFA World Cup amid Middle East tension<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t