In a significant blow to Phantom BC’s championship aspirations, star forward Aliyah Boston has been ruled out for the remainder of the Unrivaled playoffs due to a right lower extremity injury, the 3-on-3 league announced on Sunday.
The Indiana Fever standout, who was named Unrivaled’s Defensive Player of the Year just days earlier, suffered the injury during Phantom BC’s final regular-season game against Rose BC on February 27. Boston exited early, did not return to the bench, and was absent from post-game activities, raising immediate concerns among fans and analysts.
Boston dominated defensively this season, setting a single-season record with 29 blocks while averaging 18.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. Her contributions helped Phantom BC secure the No. 1 seed with an 11-4 record and a first-round bye into the playoff semifinals, which begin Monday. As the league’s premier rim protector and a key offensive force, her absence leaves a massive void in the frontcourt for the top-seeded squad.
The injury’s severity remains unclear, as Unrivaled provided no further details beyond the right lower extremity designation. With the playoffs concluding by March 4, the announcement offers limited insight into recovery timeline, but it has sparked worries about Boston’s availability for upcoming commitments, including USA Basketball’s FIBA World Cup qualifiers later this month.
Phantom BC, co-founded stars’ showcase in the innovative 3-on-3 format, now faces a tougher path without their DPOY and All-Unrivaled Second Team selection. Replacements Aziaha James and Makayla Timpson are expected to step up alongside remaining teammates to keep the Ghost Gang’s title hopes alive.
Fans and the WNBA community have rallied with well-wishes for a speedy recovery for the 24-year-old, whose impact transcends the short Unrivaled season. Boston’s defensive prowess and leadership will be sorely missed as Phantom BC pushes forward in the high-stakes postseason.
