The Miracle in Boise: Why UNLV Basketball Just Became the Must-Watch Team of 2026
The 23-Point Resurrection
On Friday night, UNLV walked into ExtraMile Arena to face a red-hot Boise State team and immediately fell into a nightmare. Trailing by 23 points in the first half (32-9), the Rebels looked dead in the water. According to analytics, their win probability dropped to near zero. But what happened next was the stuff of madness.
Sparked by a defensive shift and a refusal to quit, UNLV chipped away at the lead, forcing the game into overtime before stunning the Broncos 86-83. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement that this team has the grit to compete with anyone.
The Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn Show
The hero of the night was undoubtedly Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn. The junior guard, who transferred from Illinois, played the game of his life when his team needed it most. Gibbs-Lawhorn exploded for a career-high 36 points, scoring 25 of them in the second half and overtime alone.
His performance earned him the Mountain West Player of the Week honors (Feb. 16), and for good reason. He played 44 of 45 minutes, shot 6-of-12 from deep, and hit the game-tying three-pointer with seconds left in regulation to keep the Rebels alive.
Why It Matters Right Now
This victory didn’t just break a losing streak; it reignited the entire fanbase.
• The Streak: The win marked UNLV’s third consecutive victory, completely flipping the narrative from a “rebuilding year” under first-year head coach Josh Pastner to a potential postseason dark horse.
• The stakes: With the Mountain West tournament approaching, the Rebels have moved into a tie for 6th place, keeping their hopes for a bye in the conference tournament alive.
• The Hype: Social media exploded with reactions to the “Mountain West After Dark” thriller, with analysts calling it the comeback of the year.
As the Rebels take the court this week against Colorado State, all eyes are on Las Vegas to see if they can keep this impossible momentum going. One thing is for sure: UNLV basketball is back, and they are must-see TV.
