Indiana Fever’s star forward Aliyah Boston has been ruled out for Monday’s upcoming Unrivaled matchup sidelined due to an injury sustained during a heated encounter with Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner.
The incident occurred in a recent Unrivaled game between Boston’s Phantom BC and Griner’s Vinyl BC. During intense post play, Griner committed a flagrant foul on Boston, striking her in the face with an extended arm and follow-through that many viewed as excessive. Boston hit the deck hard after the contact, prompting officials to review the play. Initially called an offensive foul, it was upgraded to a flagrant 1 after review. Griner was assessed her fifth foul, and Boston was awarded a free throw as part of the penalty.
Legendary WNBA player and analyst Lisa Leslie reacted strongly on the broadcast, calling the foul “excessive and extra.” She emphasized that the arm extension went beyond a normal basketball play, scraping across Boston’s face, and remarked, “I think that’s excessive and that’s extra and if that were my face I probably would have p*nch*d her.” The play drew widespread criticism online, with fans and commentators noting Griner’s history of physical altercations with Boston, including past WNBA shoves and technical fouls.
While Boston initially appeared to continue playing, the facial contact led to lingering effects. Team sources confirmed the injury—described as facial and potentially involving concussion-like symptoms or soreness—necessitated rest and evaluation. Boston, a key piece for Phantom BC with strong averages in points, rebounds, and assists this Unrivaled season, will miss the Monday game to prioritize recovery and avoid aggravating the issue.
Unrivaled, in its second season, has faced injury challenges league-wide, with several stars sidelined in recent weeks. Boston’s absence is a blow to her team as they push for positioning in the competitive 3×3 format. Fans hope for a quick return for the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, known for her toughness and defensive prowess. The league and Boston’s camp have not specified a return timeline, but updates are expected soon.
This latest clash highlights the physical nature of Unrivaled’s fast-paced games, where former WNBA rivals like Boston and Griner bring intensity that sometimes boils over.
