League News
The Miami Heatwave sign explosive 19-year-old point guard Ryker Drift ahead of Week 3, a former Division I football cornerback recruit whose draft stock plummeted after a benches-clearing fight led to a multi-game suspension, forcing him to miss his final college games. The 6'2" hot-head—known for ripping passing lanes, talking trash, and slamming Eastbay dunks—joins Dead Poole to ignite Miami's 0-2 skid, bringing chaos that keeps opponents guessing while staying fiercely loyal to his new locker room.
Week 3 Recaps
Miami Heatwave vs Pittsburgh Phantoms
The Heatwave enter the fourth with a slim 92-90 lead. Ryker Drift picks off Ty Jerome Jr's pass for steal #6 and throws down an Eastbay dunk, igniting the Miami crowd. Jerome Jr answers with a step-back three to tie it, but Dead Poole drains his 8th three off Drift's kickout. Devin Carter responds with a corner three as tension builds with both backcourts trading blows.
Drift strips Jerome Jr again (steal #7) and feeds Poole for three #9, pushing Miami up 100-96. Malik Thompson powers through for a tough hook shot, but Poole buries three #10 from the wing—the historic dagger. Jerome Jr's deep pull-up cuts it to 108-107 with 45 seconds left as Phantoms mount furious rally.
Drift's 8th steal on the inbounds pass triggers fastbreak chaos. Poole draws foul for free throws, Jerome Jr forces miss but Devin Carter's inbound turnover seals it. Final heave rims out front as Heatwave survive epic debut battle.
Miami Heatwave 112 - Pittsburgh Phantoms 110
Washington Sentinels vs Charlotte Cyclones
Sentinels lead 78-74 entering the fourth. Rodney Wallace swats Xander Lan's drive (block #4), sparking a Dyson DPOY transition lob to Wallace. Lan answers with a shoulder fake post-up, but Darius Tank Simmons' putback dunk ties it at 80. DPOY picks Eli Morrison's pocket for a mid-range pull-up to regain edge.
Wallace rejects Simmons' layup (block #5) and Dyson threads a pick-and-roll lob to Wallace for the and-one. Lan responds with a tough fadeaway, keeping Cyclones within striking distance. Wallace grabs the board and finds Isaac Monroe for corner three, pushing lead to seven.
Wallace swats Lan's drive again (block #6), DPOY outlets to Monroe for transition three. Lan grabs offensive board but Eli Morrison's three-rim attempt gets blocked by Samuel Hayes at buzzer.
Washington Sentinels 101 - Charlotte Cyclones 95
Philadelphia Liberty vs Atlanta Vortex
Liberty up 84-81 in the fourth. Jod Abil slices through for a hard drive layup, but Stephen Brickman answers with a Brickstorm dunk. Damon Kells hits Kade Rowland for a pick-and-pop mid-range, then Abil strips Kyren Davis for transition finish (steal #4). Brickman spins baseline for and-one to cut deficit.
Marcel Drayton swats Malik Sanders at the rim as Liberty push to 92-88. Kells finds Abil slashing again for the dagger bucket with 2:30 left. Kyren Davis orchestrates Vortex comeback attempt but turnovers doom Atlanta.
Abil strips Brickman for steal #5, Kells hits Trevon Maddox for open three. Kyren Davis' final pull-up rims long, Rowland grabs board to ice divisional victory.
Philadelphia Liberty 107 - Atlanta Vortex 103
Ottawa Maple vs Nashville Strikers
Maple lead 88-76 entering fourth. Wiliannis Antetochamberlain swats Josh Peterson's three (block #5) and slams the Euro step finger roll. Welel Kare answers with interior dominance, but Antetochamberlain rejects his hook (block #6). Micah Harlow threads Nathan Cross for a wing three to extend run.
Antetochamberlain grabs offensive board #15 and outlets to Harlow for transition bucket. Peterson's steal leads to fastbreak layup, but Damien Porter swats Elijah Monroe at rim. Harlow's no-look pass finds Elijah Kramer for dagger three from deep.
Antetochamberlain swats Peterson's layup (block #7), Harlow finds Cross cutting. Josh Peterson grabs final board but Marcus Hill's heave rims as Maple dominate paint completely.
Ottawa Maple 115 - Nashville Strikers 98
Virginia Tide vs Memphis Blues
Tide cling to 82-80 lead in fourth. On Fire throws down a 360 dunk off Kai Summers' lob, grabbing the lead at 83-82. Welel Kare powers back with bully-ball hook, but Summers answers with deep three to push ahead. Marcus Hill strips Terrence Floyd for transition bucket.
On Fire's chase-down block on Jodell Banks ignites Blues 8-0 run. Summers orchestrates pick-and-roll hesitation for go-ahead bucket with 3:15 left. Kare fights back inside but Jalen Cross picks his pocket on crucial possession.
On Fire strips Hill for final steal, Summers ices free throws. Kare grabs board but Jalen Cross blocks final desperation heave at rim.
Memphis Blues 102 - Virginia Tide 99
New York Empire vs Baltimore Monuments
Empire lead 90-88 late fourth. Jayse Wiggles' behind-the-back pass finds Dante Miller for corner three #6. Cairo Smith answers with delayed tween jab drive, but Wiggles picks his pocket (steal #6) for transition finish. Miller buries wing three off kickout to push lead to seven.
Troy Langford slashes for and-one, cutting deficit to four. Wiggles hits free throw line pull-up with 1:20 left—the dagger. Smith strips Seth Harris but Malik Doss' open three rims out front rim.
Wiggles picks Langford (steal #7), Miller buries dagger three #7. Smith grabs offensive board but Lucas Jensen blocks final hook shot at rim.
New York Empire 109 - Baltimore Monuments 105
Portland Timber vs Seattle Kraken
Timber up 92-90 in fourth. Duncan A. Ball's no-look corner three pass to Dorian Price extends lead to five. Derrick White euro-steps for dunk, but Ball grabs board and finds Price cutting for layup. Dom Canzone II powers inside for tough and-one to tie it.
Price drains deep three #4 off Ball vision, pushing back ahead. White pulls up from logo but rims long. Ball finds Jalen Brooks for alley-oop slam as Timber reclaim control at 102-98.
Ball threads Keon Sanders for wing three, White grabs board but Thomas Crawford's inbound turnover seals it. Canzone II's heave rims at buzzer.
Portland Timber 104 - Seattle Kraken 100
Los Angeles Monarchs vs Denver Outlaws
Monarchs lead 98-96 late. Tyrese Edgecombe's left wing step-back pushes cushion to five. Trae Stod answers with catch-and-shoot three #7, but Jordan Hale finds Ben Rhodes for paint finish. Kieran Voss hits pump-fake floater to cut deficit to one.
Edgecombe spins left baseline for dagger bucket with 1:45 left. Stod drives for spin floater but Rhodes swats it (block #4). Hale's kickout finds Malik Rivers for open three to ice game.
Edgecombe strips Voss for final steal, Hale finds Daniel Pierce inside. Gideon Holt grabs board but Rylan Tate's three-rim attempt falls short.
Los Angeles Monarchs 111 - Denver Outlaws 107
Houston Apollo vs Dallas Dragons
Apollo cling to 88-86 entering fourth. Boris Cummings-Noncingham rolls off pick for mid-range before ankle tweak exit(22 MIN). LeBron James III drains deep three #3, Sup Aroony answers with rim-rattling block #5. Mason Clarke threads Liam Santos for three to tie it.
James III step-back pushes lead to seven midway through. Kael Donovan finds Jose Martinez for corner three, keeping Dragons alive. Eli Turner swats Darius Lang at rim as LeBron orchestrates game-sealing run.
James III picks Donovan for steal #2, Clarke buries dagger three. Sup Aroony grabs final board but Kael Donovan's heave rims long.
Houston Apollo 108 - Dallas Dragons 102
Las Vegas Vipers vs Kansas City Cruise
Vipers up 92-90 late. Corey Naylor's high IQ pass finds Avery Kane for wing three #5. No Ball-Knwldge answers with corner three #6, but Caleb Foster swats Tyrese Holloway at rim. Naylor strips Donovan (steal #5) for Kane's dagger three.
No Ball-Knwldge mid-range corner rims out front. Jamal Rivers slashes for and-one, cutting to two. Leo Harrison grabs Foster's rebound #11 and finds Naylor for insurance bucket.
Naylor picks Holloway (steal #6), Caleb Foster slams alley-oop. Lorenzo Cruz grabs board but No Ball-Knwldge's final three rims at buzzer.
Las Vegas Vipers 103 - Kansas City Cruise 99
Minneapolis Frost vs Phoenix Firebirds
Frost cling to 88-86 entering fourth. TM3D1Glazer hits Caleb Whitaker for three #5 off pick-and-roll vision, but Rolando The Stink Wade counters with steal #4 and euro-step coast-to-coast slam tying it at 91. Glazer picks Evan Holt's pocket for transition floater, Frost regain 93-91 edge midway quarter. Wade buries contested wing step-back to knot it again at 94.
Whitaker strips Miles Carter (steal #3), Glazer threads Isaiah Knight for baseline slam pushing ahead 98-95. Holt answers with deep three but Knight swats Jamal Reese at rim (block #4). Frost extend to 102-98 with 1:45 left on Whitaker's corner three #6.
Glazer draws foul on Wade's drive (steal #4), sinks free throws. Wade grabs board but Whitaker rejects final desperation heave at buzzer.
Minneapolis Frost 106 - Phoenix Firebirds 102
Santa Fe Saints vs Sacramento Capital
Saints lead 92-90 late fourth. Jace Thompson drills wing three #5 off Carson Reyes' no-look dish. Cumringham Butterduck responds with fadeaway step-back three #6, but Dirk Garnett swats Nolan Pierce's layup (block #3). Reyes finds Malik Frost for corner three, Saints push to 99-95 cushion.
Butterduck spins baseline for tough and-one, trimming deficit to two. Garnett posts Thaddeus Zoltan for fadeaway jumper dagger, reclaiming six-point edge at 103-97. Pierce strips Omar Steele but Reyes picks pocket right back on fastbreak.
Thompson ices free throws after Zoltan turnover. Butterduck grabs offensive board but Jace Thompson's chase-down block seals Saints victory.
Santa Fe Saints 108 - Sacramento Capital 104
Week 3 Key Moments
Drift's 8th Steal Seals Heatwave Debut
Ryker Drift stripped the inbound pass for steal #8 with 12 seconds left, springing Dead Poole for free throws that sealed Miami Heatwave's 112-110 thriller over Pittsburgh Phantoms. The hot-headed rookie's 35 PTS, 10 AST, 8 STL plus Poole's historic 10 threes (40 PTS) overcame Ty Jerome Jr's 38/9 3PM barrage in Southeast-Central clash.
Wallace's Buzzer Swat Stifles Cyclones
Rodney Wallace rejected Xander Lan's desperation three-rim attempt at the horn, preserving Washington Sentinels' 101-95 victory over Charlotte Cyclones. The 19yo menace posted 28 PTS, 15 REB, 6 BLK while Dyson DPOY added 22 PTS, 9 AST, 4 STL to overwhelm Lan's 32 PTS post attack.
Abil's Slashing Dagger Downs Vortex
Jod Abil sliced baseline for dagger bucket with 2:15 left, powering Philadelphia Liberty to 107-103 divisional win over Atlanta Vortex. The explosive 19yo's 32 PTS, 4 STL paired with Damon Kells' 24 PTS, 9 AST outdueled Stephen Brickman's chaotic 34 PTS takeover bid.
Antetochamberlain's Block #6 Crushes Strikers
Wiliannis Antetochamberlain swatted Josh Peterson's layup for block #6 midway fourth, sparking Ottawa Maple's 115-98 rout of Nashville Strikers. The paint dominator finished 32 PTS, 18 REB, 7 BLK while Micah Harlow dished 24 PTS, 11 AST in Atlantic-Southern demolition.
On Fire's Chase-Down Ignites Blues Upset
On Fire's chase-down block on Jodell Banks sparked 8-0 closing run, powering Memphis Blues to 102-99 road steal over Virginia Tide. The highlight machine exploded for 30 PTS, 4 BLK alongside Kai Summers' 24 PTS, 9 AST over Welel Kare's dominant 28/14 line.
Wiggles' Steal #7 Triggers Miller Barrage
Jayse Wiggles picked Cairo Smith's pocket for steal #7, springing Dante Miller for dagger three #7 that sealed New York Empire's 109-105 win over Baltimore Monuments. Wiggles' 28 PTS, 12 AST, 7 STL outshined Smith's 34 PTS, 10 AST in Atlantic Division thriller.
Ball's Triple-Double Vision Powers Timber
Duncan A. Ball threaded no-look alley-oop to Jalen Brooks with 1:10 left, securing Portland Timber's 104-100 rivalry win over Seattle Kraken. The 7'6" maestro's 30 PTS, 14 REB, 10 AST triple-double topped Derrick White's 28 PTS, 5 STL effort.
Edgecombe's Spin Baseline Downs Stod
Tyrese Edgecombe spun baseline for dagger and-one with 1:45 left, powering Los Angeles Monarchs to 111-107 shootout victory over Denver Outlaws. The 19yo star's 36 PTS plus Jordan Hale's 26 PTS, 11 AST overcame Trae Stod's 34 PTS, 7 3PM fireworks.
LeBron's Step-Back Carries Post-Boris Exit
LeBron James III buried step-back jumper midway fourth after Boris' ankle tweak exit, carrying Houston Apollo to 108-102 win over Dallas Dragons. The phenom's 28 PTS, 9 AST overwhelmed Sup Aroony's 28 PTS, 5 BLK in Southwest twin-towers statement.
Naylor's IQ Connection Clips Cruise
Corey Naylor's high IQ pass sprung Avery Kane for wing three #5 with 1:45 left, powering Las Vegas Vipers to 103-99 win over Kansas City Cruise. Naylor's 30 PTS, 12 AST, 5 STL outexecuted No Ball-Knwldge's 32 PTS, 6 3PM barrage.
Wade's Chaos Reign Edges Butterduck
Rolando "The Stink" Wade picked Nolan Pierce for steal #5 and euro-stepped coast-to-coast with 2:30 left, securing Phoenix Firebirds' 98-95 rivalry win over Sacramento Capital. Wade's 30 PTS, 6 STL chaos topped Cumringham Butterduck's 28 PTS, 6 3PM fadeaways.
Glazer's Clutch Vision Preserves Frost Run
TM3D1Glazer drew foul on Rolando Wade with 18 seconds left, sinking free throws before Caleb Whitaker swatted Wade's heave at buzzer for Minneapolis Frost's 106-102 win over Phoenix Firebirds. Glazer's 30 PTS, 12 AST, 4 STL kept Northerners perfect at 3-0.
Garnett's Fadeaway Dagger Buries Capital
Dirk Garnett posted Thaddeus Zoltan for fadeaway jumper dagger with 1:45 left, powering Santa Fe Saints to 108-104 win over Sacramento Capital. The German rookie's 22 PTS, 11 REB, 4 BLK debut overwhelmed Cumringham Butterduck's 28 PTS in Mountain statement.
Preseason Week 3 Box Score
7:00 PM ET: Miami Heatwave 112 - Pittsburgh Phantoms 110
Heatwave Key Performers: Dead Poole 40 PTS (10/15 3PT); Ryker Drift 35 PTS, 10 AST, 8 STL.
Phantoms Key Performers: Ty Jerome Jr 38 PTS (9/12 3PT); Devin Carter 24 PTS (4/7 3PT).
Game Notes: Poole's historic 10 threes + Ryker's steal frenzy hold off Jerome Jr's barrage in thriller debut.
7:00 PM ET: Washington Sentinels 101 - Charlotte Cyclones 95
Sentinels Key Performers: Rodney Wallace 28 PTS, 15 REB, 5 BLK; Dyson DPOY 22 PTS, 9 AST, 4 STL.
Cyclones Key Performers: Xander Lan 30 PTS, 9 REB; Darius Tank Simmons 22 PTS, 12 REB, 3 BLK.
Game Notes: Wallace's paint dominance + DPOY's playmaking stifle Lan's post attack.
7:30 PM ET: Philadelphia Liberty 107 - Atlanta Vortex 103
Liberty Key Performers: Jod Abil 32 PTS, 4 STL; Damon Kells 24 PTS, 9 AST.
Vortex Key Performers: Stephen Brickman 34 PTS; Kyren Davis 22 PTS, 10 AST.
Game Notes: Abil's slashing + Kells' vision edge Brickman's chaos in divisional clash.
7:30 PM ET: Ottawa Maple 115 - Nashville Strikers 98
Maple Key Performers: Wiliannis Antetochamberlain 32 PTS, 18 REB, 6 BLK; Micah Harlow 24 PTS, 11 AST.
Strikers Key Performers: Josh Peterson 26 PTS, 5 STL; Welel Kare 16 PTS, 13 REB, 4 BLK.
Game Notes: Antetochamberlain's monster night overwhelms Strikers' guard play.
8:00 PM ET: Virginia Tide 99 - Memphis Blues 102
Blues Key Performers: On Fire 30 PTS, 4 BLK; Kai Summers 24 PTS, 9 AST.
Tide Key Performers: Welel Kare 28 PTS, 14 REB, 5 BLK; Marcus Hill 22 PTS, 8 AST.
Game Notes: On Fire's highlight reel + Summers' vision steal road win from Kare's dominance.
8:00 PM ET: New York Empire 109 - Baltimore Monuments 105
Empire Key Performers: Jayse Wiggles 28 PTS, 12 AST, 6 STL; Dante Miller 26 PTS (6/10 3PT).
Monuments Key Performers: Cairo Smith 34 PTS, 10 AST; Malik Doss 20 PTS (5/8 3PT).
Game Notes: Wiggles' steals + Miller's shooting outduel Smith's takeover bid.
8:30 PM ET: Portland Timber 104 - Seattle Kraken 100
Timber Key Performers: Duncan A. Ball 30 PTS, 14 REB, 10 AST; Dorian Price 26 PTS (4/7 3PT).
Kraken Key Performers: Derrick White 28 PTS, 5 STL; Dom Canzone II 24 PTS, 12 REB.
Game Notes: Ball's triple-double vision powers Timber over White-Canzone duo.
8:30 PM ET: Los Angeles Monarchs 111 - Denver Outlaws 107
Monarchs Key Performers: Tyrese Edgecombe 36 PTS; Jordan Hale 26 PTS, 11 AST.
Outlaws Key Performers: Trae Stod 34 PTS (7/11 3PT); Kieran Voss 24 PTS, 12 AST.
Game Notes: Edgecombe's drives + Hale's passing top Stod's shooting clinic.
9:00 PM ET: Houston Apollo 108 - Dallas Dragons 102
Apollo Key Performers: LeBron James III 28 PTS, 9 AST; Boris Cummings-Noncingham 25 PTS, 12 REB (22 MIN).
Dragons Key Performers: Sup Aroony 28 PTS, 5 BLK; Kael Donovan 22 PTS, 8 AST.
Game Notes: LeBron carries after Boris' early exit; twin towers still overwhelm.
9:00 PM ET: Las Vegas Vipers 103 - Kansas City Cruise 99
Vipers Key Performers: Corey Naylor 30 PTS, 12 AST, 5 STL; Avery Kane 20 PTS (5/9 3PT).
Cruise Key Performers: No Ball-Knwldge 32 PTS (6/10 3PT); Tyrese Holloway 24 PTS, 10 AST.
Game Notes: Naylor's IQ + Kane's shooting clip No Ball-Knwldge's barrage.
9:30 PM ET: Minneapolis Frost 106 - Phoenix Firebirds 102
Frost Key Performers: TM3D1Glazer 30 PTS, 12 AST, 4 STL; Caleb Whitaker 26 PTS (7/11 3PT).
Firebirds Key Performers: Rolando The Stink Wade 32 PTS, 5 STL; Evan Holt 24 PTS, 9 AST.
Game Notes: Glazer's poise + Whitaker's barrage edge Wade's chaos in Northern showdown.
9:30 PM ET: Santa Fe Saints 108 - Sacramento Capital 104
Saints Key Performers: Jace Thompson 32 PTS (5/9 3PT); Dirk Garnett 22 PTS, 11 REB, 4 BLK.
Capital Key Performers: Cumringham Butterduck 28 PTS (6/11 3PT); Nolan Pierce 24 PTS, 9 REB.
Game Notes: Thompson-Garnett duo overpowers Butterduck's fadeaways in Mountain clash.