Podcast Summary:
Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird
Episode: Breanna Stewart on Unrivaled’s Second Season and the 2026 Playoff Picture
Date: February 27, 2026

Episode Overview

Sue Bird welcomes Breanna Stewart ("Stewie"), co-founder and star player in the Unrivaled basketball league, to discuss Unrivaled’s second season, the tight playoff race, the unique aspects of three-on-three play, and how building a league from scratch has exceeded expectations. The episode offers candid, in-depth insight on the athlete experience both on and off the court.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Unrivaled League: Playoff Picture and Standings

• [01:53] Sue Bird breaks down playoff scenarios:
  • The Lunar Owls and the Hive are out of playoff contention, leaving their final game as a formality.
  • The Vinyl have secured the 6th seed.
  • The Phantom have guaranteed themselves a bye to the semifinals; their exact placement still depends on final games.
  • The Rose and Breeze are fighting for the 4th seed, with the Rose playing the Phantom (who might rest players since their bye is locked).
  • The Mists and Laces are vying for a crucial bye spot—winning would advance them directly to the semis at Barclays.
  • Tiebreakers: Head-to-head, record vs. playoff teams, and finally point differential.

“Think the thing that’s most interesting… is where the Mists and the Laces are going to end up. They’re fighting for that final bye. It’s an automatic trip to not only the Semis, but to Barclays on March 2nd.”
— Sue Bird [03:17]

2. Winning and Losing: Stewie’s Year-to-Year Turnaround

• [06:15] Stewart reflects on going from injury-ridden to dominant:
  • Last season, Stewart played through an MCL injury and missed the playoffs.
  • This year, fully healthy, she opened the season with back-to-back game winners and has led the Mist to playoff contention.

“I just feel like back to myself, honestly. And that’s the biggest thing… Dealing with an injury and having to play through it is probably the worst thing because that’s all you’re doing, that’s all you’re spending your time on.”
— Breanna Stewart [06:15]

3. The Chaos of the Standings: Complex Playoff Math

• [07:14] Both Sue and Stewie discuss endless tiebreaker permutations:
  • It’s possible for there to be a three-way tie affecting seedings, making even a “win and you’re in” scenario unclear.
  • The Mist have especially good point differential, which helps in tiebreakers.

“We were like, all of a sudden Veronica Burton was like, ‘Oh, we’re second.’ And I was like, wait, what? I thought we couldn’t move from three… But that’s the thing in our favor – our point differential is nuts.”
— Breanna Stewart [08:09]

4. Efficiency in a Fast-Paced Game

• [10:01] Maintaining efficiency in 3v3’s up-tempo environment:
  • Stewart credits smart positioning, quick decisions after rebounds, and unselfish team play.
  • Adjustments include taking quick walk-in threes and attacking mismatches.

“Basketball players’ mindset is to run back to the paint… but then you cross half court and you’re open… it’s literally two steps and being ready to shoot.”
— Breanna Stewart [10:01]

5. Chemistry and Team Dynamics on the Mist

• [11:06] Sue and Stewie break down the Mist’s roster:
  • Stewart and Alicia Gray (Leash) have become a dynamic, unselfish duo.
  • Stewart praises Arike Ogunbowale’s growth and adaptability, and Veronica Burton’s relentless gym work.
  • Alanna Smith initially seemed a tough fit (due to on-court history), but proved to be vital by embracing necessary “dirty work.”

“Playing with Lan, she’s a lot of fun. She brings that energy, that excitement every single day… She was like, ‘I’m not always going to do the things that are the most sexy, but I’m going to do the things that like get the job done.’”
— Breanna Stewart [14:37]

6. Learning Curve: Year One to Year Two in Unrivaled

• [18:41] Big lessons from inaugural season:
  • Getting in “amazing shape” is crucial.
  • The three-on-three format requires different pacing, smarter movement, and constant positional awareness to avoid getting caught out.
  • Defensive transitions are especially punishing—falling down or arguing with refs guarantees fast-break points against.

“Falling down is the worst. Arguing with the refs, worst. The moment the other team sees you turn your head and argue with the ref, they’re taking it out of bounds, they’re throwing it up the court… you’re in trouble.”
— Breanna Stewart [20:01]

7. Three-on-Three vs. Five-on-Five Preparation

• [20:37] Differences in scoring opportunities and energy management:
  • More on-ball isolation, fewer complex sets and screens.
  • The mid-range is less valuable; the focus is on restricted area finishes and threes.
  • Conserving energy by skipping unnecessary movement.

“This game, you really want the RA and the 3.”
— Breanna Stewart [22:41]

8. Stewie’s Weaknesses and Opposing Standouts

• [23:53] Unrivaled exposes forced one-on-one defense:
  • Guarding “big fives” with no help is a challenge for Stewart.
  • Recognizes Brittney Sykes (Laces) and Aaliyah Boston (Phantom) for their growth and offensive consistency this season.

9. Playoff Pressure & The Barclays Center Goal

• [27:07] Sue asks if Stewart feels pressure to bring the Mist to New York (home of the Liberty):
  • Stewart admits the pressure is real; the league decided late to bring the semis to Barclays after learning from successful tour stops like Philadelphia.
  • The Mist’s fate rests on their final game; a win puts them in control, but key tiebreaks mean the stress level is high.

“I am feeling the pressure. I really want to just bring my team to New York and know that’s going to be an awesome atmosphere.”
— Breanna Stewart [27:23]

10. Opponent Breakdowns: Strengths and Weaknesses

• [31:03] Phantom: Complete team with defensive and offensive standouts; chemistry is high.
• [32:07] Rose: Peaked late last season with Chelsea Gray’s leadership and Angel Reese’s addition; unpredictable.
• [26:32] Laces: Physical and versatile, but lack a dominant post presence.

11. The Business Side: Building Unrivaled

• [33:24] Sue asks how the league’s business has evolved:
  • Stewart says Year 1 exceeded all expectations, despite players learning the new format.
  • Year 2 brought tour stops, bigger tournaments, deeper player pool, and much more fan-fan interaction, creating a unique, intimate spectator experience.

“I’m just really proud of the way that we’ve been able to create a place where players have access to everything and fans are able to in turn, get this intimate environment.”
— Breanna Stewart [35:48]

12. What Would a Championship Mean?

• [36:09] Stewart on the meaning of winning her own league:
  • Emotional payoff of playing and building simultaneously is significant.
  • Sees it as a “top” moment; the rare case of athletes running, playing, and winning in the same enterprise.

“To win a championship in the league that, you know, Fi and I started, I think would be extremely special because it’s literally built from the ground up.”
— Breanna Stewart [36:09]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I could have my own little— I can have a little coop is what you’re saying.”
  — Breanna Stewart [00:09]

• “You know, basketball is basketball, but it’s always about finding these subtle ways to get an edge. And when you’re playing three on three, those ways change. The sooner you find them, the better you’re gonna be.”
  — Sue Bird [37:06]

• “Every time I look at you and Fee, I think of Jay Z’s lyric: 'I'm Michael Jordan. I play for the team I own.' You guys are actually doing it.”
  — Sue Bird [36:44]

• “Go Mestiz. Come on.”
  — Breanna Stewart [37:01]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:53] — Sue’s View: Unrivaled playoff picture overview
• [06:15] — Stewart on injury recovery and season turnaround
• [10:01] — Maintaining efficiency in a fast-paced league
• [11:06] — Mist team chemistry and specific teammate analysis
• [18:41] — Year-to-year lessons, adjusting to three-on-three strategy
• [20:37] — Comparison of three-on-three vs five-on-five preparation
• [23:53] — Unrivaled exposing player strengths and weaknesses
• [27:07] — Playoff pressure and the importance of Barclays Center
• [31:03] — Scouting report: Phantom, Rose, and Laces
• [33:24] — The business of Unrivaled: successes and surprises
• [36:09] — What a championship within Unrivaled would mean

Tone and Style

• Lively, candid, and insightful, with plenty of player-to-player banter.
• Rich with inside basketball lingo (explained for listeners) and authentic perspectives.
• Emphasizes both the emotional and technical sides of the game and league-building.

For fans, this episode is a masterclass on modern women’s basketball—from on-court specifics to off-court innovation.