Angel Reese’s highly-anticipated return to Unrivaled didn’t just happen; it made a statement that echoed across the league. Yes, Angel Reese returned to the Unrivaled on Friday as she suited up for Rose BC after initially snubbing the 2025-26 season of the tournament. It quietly felt like she never left the court amid the offseason as she returned straight to business with her flawless performance against Hive BC that even prompted 7-time WNBA All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith to share her two cents on Reese’s return.

The instance occurred during the first quarter of the game, when Reese scored a reverse layup by using the glass effectively, despite a tight Hive BC defense near the paint. The play impressed Diggins-Smith, who was serving a stint as a guest commentator, and couldn’t help but praise the Chi Barbie.

“The Barbie said, ‘Baby, I’m back, and I’m better,” Diggins-Smith said from the broadcasting room.

Reese logged just 10.8 minutes in her comeback game from the bench. She scored 13 points and had 8 rebounds, with 6 of 9 from open play. The Chicago Sky star played second fiddle to Kahleah Cooper and Chelsea Gray, who combined for 45 points as starters. However, with the little we’ve seen of her on Friday, she looked quite formidable, and the veteran’s comment is a perfect testament to it.

Skylar Diggins-Smith’s praise further adds value, given that she is playing for the Lunar Owls BC in the same league and understands the intensity required to return to a physically driven league like Unrivaled.

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Reese’s team eventually lost the game 78-80 on Friday. Kelsey Mitchell came in clutch for Hive BC and sealed the deal for her team with a buzzer-beater (two-point layup) in the dying seconds of the game, when the score was tied at 78-78. The defeat hurt Reese’s team’s playoff standings. However, with a talismanic player in Reese, the sky is the limit for them.

The Chicago Sky forward already has immense experience playing in the tiring 3-on-3 Unrivaled. She played a decisive part in Rose BC’s title-winning run last season. Her return, even for these last few games, strengthens the team’s roster immensely. Reese’s signing, following Azura Stevens’ trade from Rose BC to Hive BC, has been welcomed quite gracefully, even by the Unrivaled Front Office.

Co-founder Napheesa Collier briefly hinted at Reese’s impact on the league ahead of her comeback game. “She’s just been such a huge addition to Unrivaled, and so, even though it’s only the end of the season, we’re happy to have her,” Collier said.

Additionally, for Reese, Unrivaled acts as a platform for her to get into the groove for the coming season. The 23-year-old is called up to Team USA for the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying event in March. Additionally, the WNBA season is also scheduled to kick off in May, though uncertainties remain due to the WNBA’s CBA negotiations. However, for now, the Chi Barbie still has a lot to do at the 3-on-3 league.

What’s Next for Angel Reese and Rose BC at the Unrivaled?

Angel Reese’s Rose BC currently sits fifth in the league standings with 5 wins and 7 losses. They are in a precarious position for now. While their current standings see them through to the playoffs, further losses in the upcoming two games can put them well down the pecking order.

And amid this situation, the two teams Rose BC face in their upcoming games are the league’s two most in-form teams: Laces BC and Phantom BC. These two games will be a trial by fire for Reese and co. With Hive BC and Vinyl BC striding quite well for the playoffs, the Rose BC can’t afford to drop these two games.

The assignment isn’t as easy as it seems, even with Reese in the roster. Both Phantom BC and Laces BC have already qualified for the playoffs. The Phantom BC, led by Kelsey Plum and Aliyah Boston, and the Laces BC, led by Alyssa Thomas, have conceded just three defeats in the season. However, reports suggest that despite the tough road ahead, the enthusiasm around the Rose BC isn’t down.

TNT host Allie LaForce shared a brief update on it ahead of the Friday game. “They won their first three games in a row. But then they lost the next three and have struggled to find consistency. But after talking to her (Reese) teammates, and coach Nola Henry, there is no lacking of enthusiasm.”

Angel Reese and the Rose BC will feature next on Sunday against Laces BC. The game will kick off at 8:45 PM ET. Can Reese and co. down the second-ranked side in the current standings? Do let us know in the comments.