Unrivaled referees were scrutinized on Wednesday night during the league’s final between the Mist and Phantom as commentary team member Renee Montgomery called for officials to “let them play”
22:35 ET, 04 Mar 2026Updated 23:21 ET, 04 Mar 2026
WNBA legend Renee Montgomery urged Unrivaled referees to let the players play during the championship game(Image: TNT Sports)
The Unrivaled championship game’s physical tone on Wednesday night left the commentary team thirsty for hoops action as it urged referees to let the players dictate the outcome. The Mist closed the game out to win, 80-74, with Breanna Stewart sinking a free throw to earn the team its first championship.
Unrivaled‘s Mist and Phantom faced off for a prize of $600,000, and the intensity was palpable in the first half. Fans online likened the action to a boxing match, with fouls, turnovers, and intense physical battles in the low block accumulating throughout the period.
The teams exchanged blows in a frenzied back-and-forth, ultimately ending the first two quarters in a tie at 43-43. Even the TNT Sports broadcast booth could not ignore the physicality on the floor and hoped the referees would allow the aggression to escalate even further. Meanwhile, the WNBA has serious concerns that the 2026 season may not happen due to a lockout.
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During halftime commentary, WNBA icon Renee Montgomery sat at the analyst desk to deliver a straightforward message aimed squarely at Unrivaled officials.
“I want the players playing at the end of the game, so the refs right now, they have to catch up with the speed of the game,” said Montgomery.
“They’re calling some things that I think are questionable and letting other things go.
“Just let them kill each other. Let ’em play!” Montgomery said. “I want to see everybody playing at the end.”
Mist forward Breanna Stewart led her team with 32 points
Studio host Andraya Carter and analyst Candace Parker quickly recognized Montgomery’s playful tone, keeping the moment lighthearted and moving on to avoid any controversy regarding her phrasing.
The numbers from the first half proved Montgomery correct about the pace. The Mist shot a blistering 55.6 percent from the field and 62.5 percent from three-point range, powered by Stewart and Arike Ogunbowale off the bench.
Stewart finished the game and earned MVP honors with a team-high 32 points on 11-of-15 shooting while adding four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks. Ogunbowale added 19 points of her own in just 14 minutes of play.
Stewart took home Unrivaled MVP honors in her own league during the physical game
The Phantom leaned heavily on Kelsey Plum, who delivered the most explosive offensive performance in Unrivaled history. She poured in 22 points in just over 12 minutes of action, shooting 8-for-11 from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc.
Plum also added four assists and three rebounds while driving much of Phantom’s offense. She ended the game with a record 40 points, with just three coming from the free throw line.
Every single player for the Mist scored outside of Li Yueru, who didn’t play due to a left knee injury.