Sports stats



G League Sioux Falls Skyforce

Game Preview: at Vipers

March 16, 2022 - NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release


All-Time Record: 9-23

Last Meeting: 117-127 on 2/17/22 in Sioux Falls

Streak: L1

If the Force wants to make bust into the Western Conference playoff scene after a 2-9 start to the regular season, there is no better entrance than a game with the top team in the G League.

Rio Grande Valley (20-6) is 9-1 in its last 10 games and was the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the entire G League. Sioux Falls sits just a game out of Texas for the final spot and two games out of the fourth seed, which the Birmingham Squadron own.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NBA G League (@nbagleague)

The matchup in Edinburg marks the first road trip for Sioux Falls since March 9, 2019. The Force was supposed to finish the 2020-21 season at RGV but were not able to due to COVID-19. It also marks the second game of five in eight days, with four of those being on the road for the Force.

With a 128-99 victory over the Texas Legends on Tuesday, the Skyforce won their fourth-straight road victory for the first time since 2015-16 under Dan Craig.

Javonte Smart led the way for the ninth time this season, with 24 points on 9-20 FGA, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Micah Potter posted 18 points on 7-11 FGA and eight rebounds. Potter has secured over 50% from the field in his last six outings.

Sioux Falls is just one of two teams to beat Rio Grande Valley in the last 15 games. They defeated the Vipers 130-119 on Feb. 15, where Javonte Smart went off for 40 points on 8-13 3PA and six assists. Micah Potter had 32 points on 12-14 FGA and eight rebounds, as well.

The Vipers took the second of the two-game series 127-117 on Feb. 17 behind a 44-point third quarter. The Force responded with 39 in the fourth and were able to cut the lead down to three in the closing minutes but fell just short.

Containing 13-year NBA veteran Gerald Green will be crucial to victory, as he's averaged 25 points on 54.8 percent shooting (44.4 percent from 3P) and 10 rebounds per game against Sioux Falls this season.

Sioux Falls heads home on Sunday for a tilt with the Iowa Wolves at 3:00 PM CST at the Sanford Pentagon. RGV will host the Memphis Hustle on Saturday and Monday, with tip-off being at 7:30 PM CST.

WHAT: Skyforce at Rio Grande Valley Vipers

WHEN: 7:30 PM CST on Thursday

WHERE: Bert Ogden Arena

WATCH: NBAGLeague.com

Check out the Sioux Falls Skyforce Statistics



NBA G League Stories from March 16, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Sioux Falls Skyforce Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central