WNBA Fans watched history happen as Dearica Hamby dropped the first 40-point performance in Unrivaled play, but the comment section quickly showed that not everyone was ready to celebrate without questions.
@WomensHoops_USA shared the moment with the post, “THE FIRST EVER 40-PIECE IN UNRIVALED HISTORY! [clapping hands emoji] [raising hands emoji].”
DEARICA HAMBY TONIGHT:
40 PTS (!!!), 10 REB, 16/23THE FIRST EVER 40-PIECE IN UNRIVALED HISTORY! [clapping hands emoji] [raising hands emoji] pic.twitter.com/nTrvcmbkir
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) January 12, 2026
The graphic spread fast, and Fans immediately filled the replies.
Some were impressed. Others were skeptical.
@Liverpotlian voiced what a number of WNBA Fans were already thinking, asking, “Is this because no one play defense in Unrivaled??”
That single line became one of the most quoted replies, with Fans debating whether the format itself made big numbers easier to reach.
Another user leaned into that idea even harder.
@CHARLLOYDS added, “Not the oldheads hitting numbers they’ve never hit in their professional careers at Unrivaled. [crying emoji].”
The post picked up attention from Fans who felt the setting mattered just as much as the performance.
As the thread grew, Fans split into familiar lanes. One side treated the 40-point game as a major moment no matter the environment. The other side questioned what it really meant in a smaller, faster format.
For many WNBA Fans, the record wasn’t just about a number on a stat line. It became a way to question what Unrivaled games are really showing.
And as more milestones come, Fans made it clear they’ll keep watching them through two lenses at once.
WNBA Fans Push Back On Doubters After Dearica Hamby’s Historic Unrivaled Night
While one side of the thread questioned the setting, another wave of replies from WNBA Fans focused entirely on Dearica Hamby herself.
@BRo_Amore posted one of the most liked comments under the original graphic, writing, “She’s been getting better and better every year… she’s keeping the throwback power forward position alive.” The message struck a chord with WNBA Fans who have followed Hamby’s career closely.
She’s been getting better and better every year… she’s keeping the throwback power forward position alive
— Meh (@BRo_Amore) January 12, 2026
Others pointed to recent seasons.
@mickeymanch added, “She was robbed of an All-Star spot last season. Disrespectful.” That reply pulled in WNBA Fans who felt Hamby’s output has been overlooked even before this Unrivaled moment.
Another comment leaned into a long-running debate.
@LiyfeTrack wrote, “That MVP voter was right after all.” The line spread quickly, with WNBA Fans revisiting past ballots and discussions around her impact.
Across these replies, WNBA Fans weren’t interested in format talk. They were focused on progression. Several noted that Hamby has stacked strong years, expanded her role, and kept producing regardless of setting.
Some WNBA Fans responded directly to the doubters, saying big games don’t come from nowhere. They argued that a player doesn’t suddenly put up 40 without skill, touch, and timing.
Others said Unrivaled simply gave Hamby more room to show what she already brings. To them, the performance didn’t appear out of thin air. It looked like a continuation.
The replies filled with past clips, old stats, and long threads about her growth. WNBA Fans shared moments from earlier seasons to show that this outburst wasn’t a fluke.
By the end of the night, WNBA Fans had turned the same post into two different conversations. One about the league. One about the player.
And judging by the support pouring in, many WNBA Fans were happy to let Hamby’s night speak louder than the doubts.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
