LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Just two days after suffering a 28-point loss, the NBA G League Ignite returned on Wednesday with a better effort but were unable to hold on late against the Agua Caliente Clippers.
Brandon Ashley produced a season-high 26 and nine rebounds, and Jalen Green scored 13 of his 20 total points in the second half to lead the Ignite in the 116-111 loss to the Clippers, who snapped a six-game losing streak with the win.
Amir Johnson added 16 points, while Isaiah Todd had 14 points and Daishen Nix chipped in 10 points.
The Ignite fell behind by 13 points in the second quarter but used a strong second-half effort to get back into the contest. The group kicked off the third quarter on a 10-2 run before eventually regaining control of the game in the fourth quarter.
Ultimately, the Clippers made a few more plays late than the Ignite to win.
“The effort was better,” Ignite head coach Brian Shaw said. “I don’t know if the execution of things was better but I thought they tried. We couldn’t hit any shots from the outside. I know at least five point-blank layups were missed that we would normally finish.
“When we finally were able to get back into the game, we shot our own selves in the foot trying to make a home run pass (or some other) untimely turnovers. We had several of those in critical moments of the game that ultimately cost us.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYpPyWjKKQQ
Green scored eight points alone in the fourth period, and hit several tough shots to keep the Ignite in the game. He drilled two shots within the final four minutes to either tie the game or give the Ignite the advantage as the lead changed hands eight times in the period.
“I think Jalen is a very special talent,” Ashley said. “I think all of these young guys are extremely special. To be able to come out of high school and compete with professional basketball players at the level that they are, it’s rare. I’m very proud of all of these guys. I thought that the way Jalen stepped up the way that he did shows just how special he is right now and how special he will be at the next level.”
While Green finished with 20 points, the 19-year-old struggled to shoot in the first half. However, he managed to contribute in other areas of the game and helped the Ignite keep the contest close.
Green also added six rebounds, five assists and two steals in 32 minutes.
“He has improved a great deal,” Shaw said. “He is one guy that just finds a way to get stuff done when is out there on the floor. In the first half, he didn’t shoot the ball particularly well but I think he saw where his shots could come from. He figured it out in the second half. They were keying in on him defensively so I’m proud of the fact that he made the right plays.”
Following the loss, the Ignite dropped to eighth the standings at 7-6 with two games left to play in the regular season. The top eight teams qualify for the playoffs as the Ignite will be among those in contention to close out the season.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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