Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston will miss the 2027 Unrivaled season as she continues recovering from surgery to repair her right knee’s lateral meniscus.
Unrivaled announced the roster update on Wednesday, October 28, confirming that Boston is expected to return for the 2028 season under her multi-year deal with the league.
The decision means the four-time WNBA All-Star will miss the upcoming season of the women’s 3-on-3 league as she focuses on rehabilitation following a procedure earlier this month.
Aliyah Boston Underwent Meniscus Surgery in October
Boston underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on her right knee on October 14, the Indiana Fever announced the following day.
The injury had affected her for much of the 2026 campaign. Boston originally suffered the meniscus injury while playing in Unrivaled in February, forcing her to miss the league’s postseason and the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament in March.
Despite the lingering issue, Boston continued playing for Indiana throughout much of the WNBA season before undergoing surgery after the Fever’s playoff run ended. She will continue her rehabilitation with the Fever’s medical and performance staff. The team did not provide a specific recovery timetable.
Boston Delivered a Career Year With the Fever
Boston’s injury did not prevent her from producing one of the strongest statistical seasons of her professional career.
During the 2026 WNBA regular season, she averaged 16.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, while shooting 52.8% from the field. She also earned her fourth consecutive All-Star selection.
Her production underscored her importance to Indiana, where she remains a central part of the team’s frontcourt.
Boston’s offseason will now be centered on rehabilitation rather than another Unrivaled campaign. Her availability for the start of the 2027 WNBA season has not been definitively established by a specific medical timetable.
Unrivaled Will Miss a Major Contributor
Boston made a significant impact during the 2026 Unrivaled season with Phantom BC.
In 14 games, she averaged 18.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.1 blocks per game. She earned the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award and set a single-season record with 29 blocks, helping Phantom BC finish the regular season with an 11-3 record and reach the championship game.
Her absence leaves Unrivaled without one of its most productive interior players for its third season.
The league has announced Toronto Tempo forward Isabelle Harrison as Boston’s replacement for the 2027 campaign. Harrison is coming off a strong WNBA season in which she averaged 12.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
What Boston’s Absence Means for 2027
Boston’s decision to sit out the upcoming Unrivaled season shifts attention toward her recovery and preparation for her next WNBA campaign.
For Unrivaled, the challenge is replacing the production and defensive presence of a reigning Defensive Player of the Year. For Indiana, Boston’s health will remain an important storyline heading into 2027.
Her expected return to Unrivaled in 2028 gives the league a potential reunion to look forward to, although her recovery and future availability will ultimately determine the timing.
For now, Boston’s focus is on getting healthy after playing through a persistent knee injury during the 2026 season.
What do you think?
How much will Aliyah Boston’s absence impact Unrivaled in 2027? And should WNBA stars prioritize recovery over offseason competition when dealing with lingering injuries?
Join the conversation in the comments.
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