As Unrivaled tipped off its 2026 season, the 3v3 league not only introduced a faster-paced format with more money but also exposed a very different kind of challenge. And after her debut with Breeze BC, Paige Bueckers has made it clear that the transition isn’t as seamless as it may look from the outside, particularly in terms of physicality and defensive responsibility.

Fresh off a standout WNBA season with the Dallas Wings and after winning the Rookie of the Year title, Bueckers entered Unrivaled as a marquee name. She spoke to legend Candace Parker after the inaugural Phantom BC game and was directly asked about the pivot from 5v5 to 3v3.

“Yeah, I think the physicality, one,” Bueckers admitted. “We all know that the W is physical, but Unrivaled, I feel, is even more physical than that. And then not being able to have help side, you’re basically on an island. So at points, you’re gonna have to be okay with getting cooked.”

While the WNBA has long been known for its toughness, the offseason league, co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, intensifies that challenge by stripping away defensive safety nets and placing players in constant isolation.

“Wear defense with pride and try to just defend on the island and guard your yard and keep people in front of you,” Bueckers continued. “But at the same time, these are the best women in the world, and you’re competing against them, so that’s a lot different, for sure.”

The CBA negotiations between the WNBA and the WNBPA have been stalled for some time, and the January 9 deadline is also approaching. In a recent public appearance, though, Collier made it clear that the players were “standing strong” with their demands.

With reportedly no progress since December and uncertainty looming over player compensation, workload, and long-term security, alternative leagues like Unrivaled are being examined through a different lens.

While Bueckers never suggested the 3v3 league could replace the WNBA, Unrivaled’s player-first structure and high-tempo style are already reshaping how the sport is experienced by both athletes and fans.

In her very first outing, Bueckers didn’t just experience those differences… she came prepared and thrived within them.

Paige Bueckers shows why she was named WNBA ROTY

In her first appearance with expansion side Breeze BC, Paige Bueckers delivered a complete performance. She finished with a game-high 24 points, adding six assists and five rebounds, and her team secured a 69-62 win. During the game, Bueckers’ offensive rhythm never wavered, particularly in the mid-range, where her footwork and shot creation consistently punished the opposition.

It was a different aspect of the young star’s performance that impressed Parker.

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“You don’t know what you don’t know when you’re young, and that can be a good thing and a bad thing,” Parker said after the game. “I was very impressed defensively. I mean, Rickea is gonna play defense, but Paige Bueckers…she stepped up and defended.”

Unrivaled demands sustained defensive focus on every possession. Against a Phantom BC lineup featuring established stars like Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Plum, and Tiffany Hayes, Bueckers rose to the challenge. She recorded multiple key stops late, including five defensive rebounds, helping Breeze maintain control.

Rickea Jackson added another 16 points, while Dominique Malonga dominated the glass with 17 points and 14 rebounds, rounding out a balanced effort from a young, talented roster. In a league built on constant pressure and minimal margin for error, Bueckers truly set the tone for what’s to be expected from her in the upcoming games.

Parker, though, admitted to her co-panelists that Bueckers cannot yet be included in long-term two-way conversations.

“I didn’t say she can’t be in the two-way conversation,” the WNBA legend said. “It’s one game. You threw her into the Kawhi Leonard and Paul George conversation. I’m like, slow your roll.”

Next up, Bueckers and her team lock horns with Hive BC on January 9.