Aliyah Boston ruled out for the rest of Unrivaled season with lower extremity injury, unknown if she will be ready for Team USA training camp

Phantom BC takes a major loss right before the postseason. Phantom BC reportedly has ruled out Aliyah Boston for the rest of the Unrivaled season due to a right lower-extremity injury she suffered in Friday's win 72-68 over Rose BC, according to the Indy Star's Chloe Peterson. Boston scored 5 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 12.5 minutes before leaving the game.

With the Unrivaled Championship taking place on March 4, little is known right now about the severity of Boston's injury. The 24-year-old forward will have a short turnaround if she wants to be ready for USA Basketball training on March 6. 

The loss of Boston will be a tough one to swallow for the 11-3 Phantom. Boston was named Unrivaled Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 18.9 points, a league-leading 2.1 blocks, and 9.7 rebounds, which ranked fourth in the league. 

In the WNBA, Boston was the former Rookie of the Year. She was drafted by the Indiana Fever with the 2023 WNBA No. 1 draft pick. Boston averaged a career-high 15.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals. She helped lead the Fever to the Semifinals alongside Kelsey Mitchell. Caitlin Clark missed most of the season due to injury. Boston has never averaged under 14 points and 8 rebounds and has never missed a game in her three seasons in the WNBA.

With Phantom guard Dana Evans also ruled out for the rest of the season with lower-extremity injuries, the team has assigned Aziaha James and forward Makayla Timpson to the Phantom for the rest of the playoffs. The Phantom's leading scorer and playmaker, Kelsey Plum, must continue to carry the shot-creation role if the Phantom wants to continue its seven-game winning streak. 

Coming off a bye, the No. 1 seed Phantom faces the No. 6 Vinyl in the league semifinals Monday at Barclays Center in New York. The 11-3 Phantom has won both of its matchups against the 5-6 Vinyl this season. The No. 2 seed Mist faces the No. 5 seed Breeze in the other semifinal.