G League Sioux Falls Skyforce

Game Preview (MLK Day Edition): Skyforce at Texas

January 15, 2024 - NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release


The Sioux Falls Skyforce embarks on their longest road trip of the season, starting with today's MLK Day game against the Texas Legends.

The Skyforce earned their ninth straight victory and back-to-back season series sweeps against the Austin Spurs in a 128-119 victory from the Sanford Pentagon on Saturday evening. The win also marked the longest winning streak since the 2015-16 NBA G League championship team and under Kasib Powell.

Justin Champagnie led Sioux Falls for the second straight game, with 36 points on 12-22 FGA, seven rebounds and four assists. Alondes Williams added 25 points, four rebounds and seven assists. It marked Williams' fifth outing of 20-plus points in the last five games and fourth in a row. Malik Williams produced his third-straight double-double, with 15 points and 14 rebounds.

The contest today marks the first trip to Frisco since the 128-99 victory over the Legends on 3/15/22, as Javonte Smart led the Force with 24 points in the victory. Sioux Falls swept the season series against Texas in two games at the Pentagon in 2022-23.

Despite dropping their first game of the regular season to the Mexico City Capitanes, Texas is one of the hottest teams in the G League and in the middle of the Western Conference Playoff push. They've won five of their last six games and defeated the Cleveland Charge 120-94 on the road Sunday, as Greg Brown III led with 24 points and seven rebounds.

Tony Bradley leads the Legends so far in the regular season with 22 points on 70.5 percent shooting, 11.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

Both teams meet again on Wednesday, with tip-off slated for 7:00 PM CST in the series finale. The Skyforce travels to face the Maine Celtics over the weekend to wrap up the road trip.

SKYFORCE WELCOMES JOSH CHRISTOPHER

- The Skyforce acquired 2021 NBA first round draft pick Josh Christopher off waivers on Sunday. Christopher spent two seasons with the Houston Rockets before part of this season with the Utah Jazz on a two-way contract.

- In his last game with Salt Lake City on a two-way, he netted 34 points against the Force (1/7/24) and had 26 points on 8-8 3PA in the first half.

WHERE WE RANK...

- The Skyforce has the highest scoring offense in the NBA G League (123.6 points per game). They shoot 49.3% from the field, good for fifth in the league, as well, and first of teams with 7+ games played.

- The deep ball has played a crucial role in Sioux Falls' hot start, as the 127 makes ranks first in the G League.

- The Force is averaging 10.8 steals per game (fourth in the league) and two players rank in the top five in steals per game (Champagnie is fourth with 2.6, Bouyea is fifth with 2.4). They both rank first and second for total steals, as well.

CLOSING OUT GAMES

- The Skyforce moved to 14-1 between the Showcase Cup and regular season when leading after the third quarter. Dating back to last regular season, Sioux Falls is 34-4 combined when holding a lead after the first three quarters.

STARTING HALVES OUT STRONG

- Sioux Falls in the 1st quarter during the regular season: 32.9 points (2nd in the G League) on 53.9 FG% (1st in the G League), with a +5.1 +/- (4th in the G League).

- The Skyforce in the 3rd quarter during the regular season: 34.7 points (1st in the G League) on 57.5 FG% (1st in the G league) with a +7.2 +/- (1st in the G League).

Check out the Sioux Falls Skyforce Statistics



NBA G League Stories from January 15, 2024


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