LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — On the second game of a back-to-back, NBA G League Ignite head coach Brian Shaw had a simple explanation for his team’s loss to the Long Island Nets.
“We were juiced,” Shaw said. “That’s basically what it came down to.”
The Ignite trailed for much of the contest on Monday and were unable to match the effort of the Nets in the 109-97 defeat. The group fell behind twice by double digits, and managed to get back within striking distance both times, but couldn’t pull close enough in the end.
“We played yesterday, and I don’t want to make excuses — all of these teams in the bubble have back-to-backs — but we have to find a way to generate our own energy on those second nights of back-to-backs,” Shaw said. “We gotta find our way. We were flat from the jump.”
Jalen Green scored a team-high 21 points to lead the Ignite, who made a season-low 35 field goals in the contest. Brandon Ashley scored 16 points while Donta Hall produced 15 points and 12 rebounds for his third double-double of the season with the Ignite.
With the performance, Green notched his fourth 20-point game of the season, shooting an efficient 8-of-12 from the field with a career-high five 3-pointers in 36 minutes of work.
Over his last two games, Green is converting on 66.7% of his shots, including 72.3% from 3-point range.
“I think it’s just more confidence, being decisive on which shots I want to take,” Green said of his recent play. “A lot of times, I was out there just very indecisive and not knowing what I wanted to do. I started figuring it out, putting more things together and just becoming more confident.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh47br0Y_VU
With six prospects on the roster, the Ignite knew coming into the season that the youth of the team would show at times. The team is learning how to navigate through different situations with back-to-back games front and center this season.
The message to the players throughout the season has been to rest and go through the necessary treatment to prepare for the 15-game season. The group has been learning to adjust accordingly.
“You gotta make sure you take care of your body and you’re taking the time when you’re not playing to go through your treatment, ice baths,” Green said. “I’m pretty used to playing back-to-back games since AAU but I haven’t done it in a year so the reason I feel it so much is because my body and legs felt like I was running through mud.”
The Ignite will regroup with an off day on Tuesday and prepare to face the Memphis Hustle on Wednesday, when they will be looking to get back into the win column.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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