Tag: G League

Recap: OKC Blue advance in G League playoffs with 126-125 OT win over RGV Vipers

Recap: OKC Blue advance in G League playoffs with 126-125 OT win over RGV Vipers.

The OKC Blue collected a thrilling 126-125 overtime win over the visiting Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the first round of the G League playoffs on Tuesday.

The Blue advance to play the Sioux Falls Skyforce on the road in the conference semifinals on Friday.

The Blue led 28-24 after the first quarter. A 31-point second frame ballooned their lead to 12, 59-47, at the break. The Vipers utilized a 37-point third frame to cut into OKC’s lead. The Blue had a 90-84 lead after three.

With the Blue holding a nine-point lead with a little over four minutes left, the Vipers mounted a comeback. They went on a 15-3 run to turn the deficit into a three-point lead with one minute left.

Keyontae Johnson tied it at 119 with an impressive and-1 score. The teams combined for four missed shots in the final 38 seconds to end regulation tied at 119.

In overtime, both teams exchanged baskets before Ousmane Dieng hit the game-winning floater to produce the Blue’s seventh point in the untimed period.

Some individual performances from both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting, 1-of-7 from 3, seven assists, seven rebounds, two blocks
  • Adam Flagler: 30 points on 11-of-19 shooting, 7-of-14 from 3, five assists, four rebounds
  • Olivier Sarr: 14 points on 4-of-10 shooting, 22 rebounds, three blocks
  • Keyontae Johnson: 17 points on 6-of-18 shooting, 2-of-6 from 3, seven rebounds, five assists
  • Hunter Maldonado: 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting, 5-of-5 from free throws, nine rebounds, three assists
  • Jarrett Culver: 29 points on 10-of-20 shooting, 0-of-6 from 3, six rebounds, three assists, three steals
  • Nate Hinton: 22 points on 9-of-18 shooting, 11 assists, seven rebounds, two steals
  • Jermaine Samuels Jr.: 20 points on 8-of-18 shooting, 13 rebounds, seven assists
  • Darius Days: 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting, 5-of-14 from 3, six rebounds

The full highlights from the Blue’s one-point OT win over the Houston Rockets’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Former Duke star Lindsey Harding is first woman ever to win G-League Coach of the Year

Former Duke player Lindsey Harding wins the G-League Coach of the Year. She is the first woman in NBA history to win the award.

Former Duke women’s basketball player Lindsey Harding made history on Tuesday after she was named the G-League Coach of the Year.

Harding became the first woman in NBA history to win the award after she led the Stockton Kings to a G-League-best 24-10 record.

She led the Kings to this record in just her first season as Stockton’s head coach.

Harding played at Duke from 2002 to 2007, winning both National Player of the Year and National Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft.

Harding, who was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury, played in the WNBA for nine seasons. She was inducted into the Duke Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.

Before taking the head coaching position with Stockton, she began her coaching career with the Mexico women’s national basketball team in 2022.

Recap: OKC Blue win regular-season finale over Delaware Blue Coats, set for playoffs

Recap: OKC Blue win regular-season finale over Delaware Blue Coats, set for playoffs.

The G League’s OKC Blue finished their regular season with a 121-95 win over the Delaware Blue Coats on Saturday. The road win improved the Blue’s record to 21-13.

With the regular season over, the Blue set their sights on the G League playoffs. They’ll host a first-round matchup on Tuesday.

The Blue held a 21-17 lead after the first quarter. A 31-point second frame gave OKC a 52-41 halftime advantage.

The second half was much of the same. A 34-point third quarter helped the Blue enter the final frame with a 25-point advantage.

The Blue shot 55% from the field and went 11-of-34 (32.4%) from 3. They dished 26 assists on 51 baskets. Six Blue players scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Blue Coats shot 36% from the field and went an ugly 3-of-35 (8.6%) from 3. They only had 14 assists on 34 baskets. Four Blue Coats players scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 19 points on 9-of-14 shooting, 1-of-4 from 3, nine assists, eight rebounds
  • Olivier Sarr: 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting, 16 rebounds, two assists, two blocks
  • Lindy Waters III: 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, 3-of-7 from 3, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks
  • Hunter Maldonado: 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting, five rebounds, four assists
  • Jeff Dowtin Jr.: 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, 1-of-5 from 3, three assists, two rebounds
  • Ricky Council IV: 18 points on 7-of-20 shooting, 1-of-7 from 3, five rebounds, two blocks
  • Melvin Frazier Jr.: 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting, four rebounds, two steals
  • Jarron Cumberland: 19 points on 4-of-11 shooting, five assists, four rebounds, three steals

The full highlights from the Blue’s 26-point win over the Philadelphia 76ers’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Recap: OKC Blue collects 132-113 win over Texas Legends in home finale

Recap: OKC Blue collect 132-113 win over Texas Legends in home finale.

The G League’s OKC Blue capped their regular season with a 132-113 win over the Texas Legends in the home finale on Thursday.

After trailing 24-7 to start, the Blue (20-13) had a strong finish to the first quarter and trailed 40-34 after one. The Blue recorded a 31-point second quarter to enter halftime deadlocked at 65 apiece.

OKC came out of the break with a 35-point third quarter to enter the final frame holding a 100-95 advantage. OKC outscored Texas in the fourth quarter, 32-18, to walk away with the lopsided win.

The Blue shot 45% from the field and went 15-of-41 (36.6%) from 3. They dished out 27 assists on 47 baskets. Five Blue players scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Legends shot 42% from the field and went 16-of-41 (39%) from 3. They distributed 24 assists on 39 baskets. Five Legends players scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, 11 rebounds, seven assists
  • Lindy Waters III: 29 points on 9-of-20 shooting, 3-of-11 from 3, 13 rebounds, three steals
  • Adam Flagler: 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting, 5-of-10 from 3, four rebounds
  • Keyontae Johnson: 22 points on 8-of-17 shooting, 3-of-4 from 3, two rebounds, two assists, two steals
  • Olivier Sarr: six points on 2-of-10 shooting, 16 rebounds, three assists, two blocks
  • Justin Jackson: 26 points on 9-of-21 shooting, 5-of-14 from 3, four rebounds, four assists
  • Tony Bradley: 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, 10 rebounds
  • Olivier-Maxence Prosper: 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting, 3-of-6 from 3, five rebounds, three steals, two assists
  • Theo Pinson: 14 points on 4-of-16 shooting, 2-of-7 from 3, nine rebounds, eight assists

The full highlights from the Blue’s 19-point win over the Dallas Mavericks’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Thunder’s Lindy Waters III assigned to G League’s OKC Blue

Thunder’s Lindy Waters III assigned to G League’s OKC Blue.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Wednesday they had assigned Lindy Waters III to the G League’s OKC Blue.

This has been a common occurrence for Waters III, who was signed to a standard deal after starting the season in a two-way roster slot. The move gives the 26-year-old a chance to get consistent playing time.

Waters III is in his third season with the Thunder, mostly on two-way deals. In 31 games this season, he has averaged 2.6 points.

In eight games with the Blue, he has averaged 21.5 points on 48.7% shooting, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He’s shot 47% from 3 on 8.3 attempts.

This will likely be another short stint for Waters III, who could use some game-time action to avoid rust. He’s provided OKC with shooting depth throughout his tenure.

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Recap: OKC Blue collect 115-99 win over Birmingham Squadron

Recap: OKC Blue collects 115-99 win over Birmingham Squadron.

The G League’s OKC Blue collected a 115-99 win over the visiting Birmingham Squadron on Wednesday.

Leading 26-25 after the first quarter, the Blue (19-13) outscored the Squadron, 30-17, in the second frame to enter halftime with a 56-42 lead. The Blue scored 33 points in the third quarter and entered the final frame with an 89-77 advantage.

OKC cruised with a 26-point final frame. It led by as many as 27 points in the double-digit win.

The Blue shot 46% from the field and went 16-of-44 (36.4%) from 3. They dished 34 assists on 42 baskets. OKC outrebounded Birmingham, 67-37. Six Blue players scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Squadron was limited to 35% from the field and went 12-of-48 (25%) from 3. They had 27 assists on 33 baskets. Four Squadron players scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting, 1-of-3 from 3, 11 rebounds, nine assists, three blocks
  • Adam Flagler: 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, 7-of-12 from 3, two assists
  • Olivier Sarr: 22 points on 6-of-12 shooting, 26 rebounds
  • Keyontae Johnson: 20 points on 9-of-18 shooting, 2-of-7 from 3, five rebounds, three assists
  • Lindy Waters III: 13 points on 5-of-17 shooting, 1-of-10 from 3, eight rebounds, three assists
  • E.J. Liddell: 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting, 2-of-8 from 3, nine rebounds, two assists
  • Malcolm Hill: 19 points on 6-of-18 shooting, 1-of-9 from 3, 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals
  • Dyson Daniels: 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting, 3-of-6 from 3, six assists, seven steals
  • Jalen Crutcher: 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting, 4-of-8 from 3, six assists, three rebounds, three steals

The full highlights from the Blue’s 16-point win over the New Orleans Pelicans’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Thunder assign Lindy Waters III to G League’s OKC Blue

Thunder assign Lindy Waters III to G League’s OKC Blue.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Wednesday they had assigned Lindy Waters III to the G League’s OKC Blue.

This has been a common occurrence for Waters III, who was signed to a standard deal after starting the season in a two-way roster slot. The move gives the 26-year-old a chance to get consistent playing time.

Waters III is in his third season with the Thunder, mostly on two-way deals. In 31 games this season, he has averaged 2.6 points.

In seven games with the Blue this season, he’s averaged 22.7 points on 52% shooting, 5.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He’s shot 53.6% from 3 on eight attempts.

This will likely be another short stint for Waters III, who could use some game-time action to avoid rust. He’s provided OKC with shooting depth throughout his tenure.

UPDATE: The Thunder recalled Waters III from the G League’s Blue after a one-game stint. He finished with 13 points on 5-of-17 shooting, 1-of-10 from 3, eight rebounds and three assists in their win over the Birmingham Squadron.

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Recap: OKC Blue split back-to-back against Greensboro Swarm with 112-95 win

Recap: OKC Blue split back-to-back against Greensboro Swarm with 112-95 win.

The G League’s OKC Blue collected a 112-95 win over the Greensboro Swarm on Saturday. The road win improved the Blue’s record to 18-13.

The Blue leaves Greensboro with a split of their back-to-back contests. Their six-game win streak was snapped on Friday by the Swarm.

After trailing 33-31 following the first quarter, the Blue scored 32 points and limited the Swarm to 17 points in the second frame to enter halftime with a 63-50 advantage.

The Blue created space on the scoreboard with a 27-point third frame in which they led by as many as 26. OKC entered the fourth quarter with a 90-69 lead, rendering it inconsequential.

The Blue shot 43% from the field and went 15-of-38 (39.5%) from 3. They shot 15-of-17 from the free-throw line. They had 27 assists on 36 baskets. Six Blue players scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Swarm shot 42% from the field and went 13-of-32 (40.6%) from 3. They had 22 assists on 35 baskets. Five Swarm players scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

  • Keyontae Johnson: 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting, 5-of-7 from 3, four rebounds, three assists
  • Ousmane Dieng: 22 points on 7-of-16 shooting, 3-of-8 from 3, six rebounds, three assists
  • Olivier Sarr: 10 points on 2-of-6 shooting, 16 rebounds, three assists, two blocks
  • Adam Flagler: 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting, 2-of-5 from 3, five assists
  • RJ Hunter: 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, 4-of-8 from 3, five assists, two rebounds
  • Marcus Garrett: 17 points on 5-of-13 shooting, 5-of-6 from 3, six rebounds, three assists
  • Terrell Brown Jr.: 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting, nine rebounds, six assists
  • Marques Bolden: 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting, seven rebounds

The full highlights from the Blue’s 17-point win over the Charlotte Hornets’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Recap: OKC Blue’s six-game win streak snapped in 113-110 loss to Greensboro Swarm

Recap: OKC Blue’s six-game win streak snapped in 113-110 loss to Greensboro Swarm.

The G League’s OKC Blue saw their six-game win streak snapped in a 113-110 loss to the Greensboro Swarm on Friday. The road loss dropped the Blue’s record to 17-13 on the season.

The Blue exited the first quarter in a 33-27 deficit. A 40-point second frame helped turn it around as OKC entered halftime with a 67-60 lead.

The Swarm scored 27 points in the third quarter to cut the Blue’s lead to three points entering the final frame. After OKC built a 110-104 lead, Greensboro capped off the comeback win with a 9-0 run in the final 3:35 of the contest.

The Blue shot 51% from the field and went 14-of-36 (38.9%) from 3. They had 29 assists on 42 baskets. Six Blue players scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Swarm shot 44% from the field and went 19-of-38 (50%) from 3. They had 28 assists on 39 baskets. Six Swarm players scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 28 points on 12-of-21 shooting, 1-of-5 from 3, seven rebounds, five assists
  • Olivier Sarr: 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting, 2-of-2 from 3, 13 rebounds, five blocks
  • Adam Flagler: 17 points on 5-of-12 shooting, 4-of-9 from 3, six rebounds, three assists
  • Keyontae Johnson: 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting, 1-of-3 from 3, six assists, five rebounds
  • RJ Hunter: 21 points on 8-of-17 shooting, 5-of-12 from 3
  • Kent Bazemore: 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting, 3-of-6 from 3, eight rebounds, five assists, five steals
  • Jaylen Sims: 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, 3-of-4 from 3, nine assists, four rebounds

The full highlights from the Blue’s three-point loss to the Charlotte Hornets’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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G League Ignite to shut down: Details from Shams Charania

G League Ignite, started in 2020 as a professional post-high school opportunity for basketball players, is shutting down after this season.

Since NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said during All-Star Weekend that the future of G League Ignite was being assessed, there have been rumors that the program is nearing the end of its lifespan.

On Thursday, Athletic reporter Shams Charania reported that this will be the team’s final season.

The G League Ignite will play its final game on March 28 before shuttering.

“Before, I felt there was a hole in the marketplace we were filling,” Silver said during All-Star Weekend. “Now, my focus is turning to earlier development of those players.”

When Ignite launched in 2020, it served as a pathway for athletes to play a year of professional basketball in the G League post-high school instead of going to college — and get paid to do so without going overseas — before entering the NBA. However, when the NCAA began allowing players to receive pay for name, image and likeness (NIL) in July 2021, the primary attraction of the Ignite team was diminished.

This year, Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland are the most prominent names on the team—two of the top five ranked players in the high school class of 2023, both are projected to be lottery picks in the 2024 draft. However, they haven’t been able to lead Ignite to success, as the team has a 6-28 record this season, according to USA TODAY.

In total, Ignite has produced four top-10 picks and, 10 total draft picks and 12 total players who have entered the league. This list is headlined by 2021 No. 2 pick Jalen Green and No. 7 pick Jonathan Kuminga, along with 2022 No. 8 pick Dyson Daniels and 2023 No. 3 pick Scoot Henderson.

The other former Ignite players who have played in the NBA are, according to Golden State of Mind, MarJon Beauchamp, Jaden Hardy, Isaiah Todd, Leonard Miller, Sidy Cissoko, Mojave King, Daishen Nix and Michael Foster Jr., the final two being undrafted signees.

G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who oversaw the Ignite’s roster and coaching staff, issued a statement to The Athletic:

“Four years ago, we started Ignite to fill a void in the basketball landscape, and I’m proud of the contributions we were able to make to that ecosystem,” Abdur-Rahim said in a statement. “With the changing environment across youth and collegiate basketball, now is the right time to take this step. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to general manager Anthony McClish, head coach Jason Hart and their staff and to each player who wore an Ignite jersey. As ever, the G League’s commitment to developing top NBA talent and helping players achieve their NBA dreams is unwavering.”

The 18-year-old will remain eligible to play on other G League teams after this season, according to USA TODAY.