The biggest single game of the regular season was saved for Sunday, as the Dallas Power take on the Chicago Triplets for the No. 1 seed in the 2026 BIG3 Playoffs. Both teams are 6-1 heading into this game and look to have separated themselves as the clear two best teams in the league. They both have two of the best and most complete rosters, making it one of, if not the biggest, regular season game in BIG3 history.
While there are other big games on the Week 8 slate, including the Houston Rig Hands vs Miami 305 and LA Riot vs DMV Trilogy for the No. 4 seed, all eyes will be on the true main event on Sunday. Before we get to the HUGE season finale, let’s preview the upcoming Dallas/Chicago game.
Power vs Triplets PreviewÂ
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MVP Candidates Go Head-To-Head
Montrezl Harrell
There are multiple deserving MVP candidates this season, and two of them just so happen to be going head-to-head for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. This game could also decide who wins the award.Â
First up is none other than Montrezl Harrell of the Triplets. He’s missed three games this season due to injury, but that hasn’t stopped him from putting up the best numbers in the BIG3. After missing the first two games of the season, he came out in Week 3 and tallied a 34-point game. He missed Week 4 with his lingering injury but came out and made history in Week 5 when he scored 42 points, the record for the most points scored ever in a BIG3 game. Harrell also put up a double-double with 11 rebounds as well.Â
Harrell put up another 30-point performance in Week 6 when he tallied 34 points while grabbing 13 rebounds for the double-double. Just recently in Week 7, he “only” scored 19 points, but he put up his third double-double of the season with 14 rebounds as well.
In summary, Harrell is averaging a double-double on the season by tallying league bests in points per game (32.3) and rebounds per game (10.5). He’s also top five in assists per game (2.5) and blocks per game (1.0). The Triplets superstar has been the most unguardable player in the league, but he will have his hands full against another MVP candidate.
Elijah Stewart
That other MVP candidate is Elijah Stewart, who’s had something to prove since Week 1 of the season. After playing for the Riot since 2021, Stewart got drafted by the Power in the first round in this year’s BIG3 Draft. He felt slighted by his former team, as he took a back seat with the Riot after their addition of Dwight Howard in 2025. This comes after scoring 100 total points three out of the five seasons with the team and forming a special duo with Jordan Crawford.
Now Stewart has taken his talents to Dallas, where he’s already eclipsed 100 points, racking up 118 so far, which is good for fifth in the league. He is also averaging 16.8 points per game, good for seventh in the league. Stewart can shoot from downtown, hitting the third-most threes in the league with 15 and is shooting them at a 37% clip, which is tied for third in the league. He does more around the hardwood than just score; he facilitates the ball as well, as he has 16 total assists, which is tied for sixth in the league.
There’s more to his game than the offensive side of that ball, and that’s where he can put up a great matchup with Harrell. Stewart is averaging 1.4 steals per game, tallying 10 on the season, both first in the BIG3. Harrell’s offense vs Stewart’s defense will be one of the biggest matchups to watch within the game.
Glen Rice Jr. Suspended
In a surprise report just days away from the game, it was announced that Glen Rice Jr. would be suspended in Week 8 for conduct detrimental to the league. Of course, this is a huge loss for a team that relies on his ability to distribute the ball. Rice Jr. currently is second in the league in assists per game (3.9) and total assists (27). As suggested by his passing of the ball, while Rice Jr. isn’t scoring like in years past, he’s contributing in other ways on this team.
He also is top 10 in total rebounds (42) and tied for second in total steals (9). The co-captain is a perfect piece to what the Power has done so far this season, and he will be missed more than people think in this Week 8 game. Cameron Smith will have to step up in his role. On the flip side, Rice Jr. gets to rest up for their playoff run, whether it’s as the one seed or two seed.
Keys to Win
Power: Ball Movement, Monroe’s Presence in the Paint, Defense Against Harrell
The Power have found multiple ways to win this year and have combined several strengths to have the advantage over their opponent. One of the things that makes them dangerous is their presence in the paint, particularly with none other than Greg Monroe. He overpowers his opponent with his size and strength, giving him the ability to score, averaging 13.9 points per game while shooting at a 50% clip from the floor. Monroe also uses his body to grab boards, as he’s averaging 8.3 rebounds per game. His presence in the paint will be most important against Harrell and company, which leads us to another key.
The Powers’ defense will be most key in their matchup against Harrell. As we’ve seen all season, there’s no stopping the reigning BIG3 Rookie of the Year from getting what he wants, but if you can knock him off his game or limit him just a little bit, there’s a chance to get past him. Dallas matches up against him the best, as they have three players in the top five in total steals.
Rice Jr. was one of the three, another reason his loss is a big blow, but the motor of Stewart and the physical presence of Monroe are more than enough to go head-to-head with Harrell. As we saw once before this season, Harrell can score 30+ and still lose, so again, just slightly knocking him off his game can make a difference.
Maybe the most dangerous part of their game is the ball movement. Like with steals, the Power have three players in the top five in assists. Again, Rice Jr. is one of those players, but they still have two players who are in the top five in that category. The Power’s ball movement has been a focal point in their game all season long, and Stewart coming over only elevated what Monroe and company can do. If they can continue to distribute the ball like they have been all year, they can wear down the Triplets defense and attack on offense.
Triplets: Harrell, Depth Scoring
There’s not really much to say about what the Triplets have to do to win this game. It’s feed Harrell. He is obviously the driving force of Chicago and the key to what they need to do. Now that being said, the Triplets also won all of their games without Harrell in the lineup, showing the talent beyond the superstar.
That will be another key to this game: depth scoring. Relying on Harrell and feeding him the ball is the go-to because he’s shown he can handle it, but in such big games as this one, there needs to be depth scoring behind him, especially against a Dallas team that can attack you multiple ways with and without the ball. The Triplets have a roster with the likes of Brandon Moss, Amir Johnson, Wesley Johnson and Leandro Barbosa, who all proved they can score and/or shoot the ball from deep.
This game is expected to be as good as advertised, and maybe it could be a BIG3 Championship preview as well.
