While the Indiana Fever is gearing up for next season as legit title contenders, one of their key pieces, Aliyah Boston, is out here in Unrivaled, having the most underwhelming run. Can’t exactly put a finger on it, but something is just not clicking. And while Caitlin Clark’s teammate did put up a better stat line than most of her previous games in Friday’s Vinyl vs. Laces matchup, the internet didn’t let that slide.
Fever star, here playing for Vinyl, came off the bench as Vinyl faced Laces for the second time. She finished with six points on 2-of-3 shooting from the field and 1-of-2 from the free-throw line. She also recorded 10 rebounds, one assist, one block, and four turnovers in just 12 minutes of play. The 23-year-old started strong, playing efficiently on offense, but ball control was a problem. Those turnovers stacked up real quick.
At halftime, she had already put up six points, seven rebounds, and one assist but had also committed three turnovers in nine minutes. Then, in the third quarter, she went completely silent on offense—not a single shot attempt as Vinyl let the Laces claw their way back into the game.
And in the fourth…nothing either. Still, despite her quiet night offensively, Vinyl BC managed to scrape out a 64-63 revenge win.
Chicago, USA, June 23, 2024: Aliyah Boston 7 Indiana Fever is seen before the game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever on Sunday June 23, 2024 at Wintrust Arena, Chicago, USA. NO COMMERCIAL USAGE Shaina Benhiyoun/SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xShainaxBenhiyoun/SPPx spp-en-ShBe-8P6A6635
Postgame, Teresa Weatherspoon had nothing but praise for Boston. “It’s the work she’s put in to try and find her fit…patient with it and super positive. She was just patient. Found her spots…She found her fit and played with a tremendous amount of confidence.”
Sounds positive, right? But there was another sequence that had Weatherspoon fired up.
The game featured a bizarre moment that left players, coaches, and fans completely baffled. Rhyne Howard blocked a three-point attempt by Jackie Young but got whistled for a foul. Immediately, she signaled toward the bench to challenge it. Weatherspoon, confident, twirled her index finger in the air to call for a review.
Except—oops—Vinyl had already burned their challenge in the first half. That’s when things got weird. Laces star Alyssa Thomas repeatedly signaled a technical foul, and their coach, Andrew Wade, argued that Vinyl should be hit with one for trying to challenge when they had none left.
Meanwhile, Weatherspoon was scrambling for clarification from Unrivaled’s executive vice president. Ultimately, the game rolled on, and Vinyl clinched the win, but it a mess. However, it looks like the internet has had enough of Unrivaled’s fouls and rules. Hence, the chatter was all about Aliyah Boston.
The takes were flying.
Fans slam Caitlin Clark’s teammate for Unrivaled struggles
“Aliyah Boston is so unserious in Unrivaled. Like, I literally have to laugh lmao,” one said, starting the string on X. This frustration has been building for a while now. In her last outing, the baller had just two points in 11 minutes. So yes, this one was better, but not by much. Fans have been calling her out for looking sluggish in a league that thrives on fast-paced action.
“Mfers comparing Breanna Stewart to Aliyah Boston,” another attacked, Although this has been a thing, it’s not even fair. Stewie is out here averaging 18.8 points and 10.4 rebounds, while Boston just 5.2 points and 4.2 boards. But let’s put things in perspective—Stewart is a seasoned veteran, while Boston is only in her second year as a pro. There’s a gap, obviously, and both are on their own journeys.
Mfers comparing Breanna Stewart to Aliyah Boston https://t.co/LsGkZtdjHn pic.twitter.com/FsmTqT6TKt
— MK (@squintsNY) March 1, 2025
“Just politely fly her back to Indy,” a third commented. The frustration is hitting an all-time high. She’s only scored in double digits twice, has had single-digit performances in all other games, and even went scoreless twice. Some fans have simply given up on seeing her in Unrivaled and are ready for her to return to Indiana.
Others were not so brutal as one wrote, “I like AB, but Unrivaled is not for her.” And, there might be some truth to this. The Aliyah Boston we know is the 2023 Rookie of the Year. Last season, she put up consistent double-digit games in W. So, maybe this format just doesn’t fit her game.
A last added, “She’s having a terrible time of it.” Others think this is just a slump, a dip in the form. Athletes go through rough patches—it happens. Maybe this is just a tough stretch, and she’ll bounce back soon. But if this is the case, the Fever better hope she figures it out soon. Because if this carries over to the WNBA, that’s bad news for a team that’s built its core around Kelsey Mitchell, Caitlin Clark, and Boston.
If they’re serious about contending for a title, they need her at her best.
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