Game Preview: Skyforce vs Vipers
Published on January 30, 2024 under NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release
Last Meeting: L, 110-105 on 4/2/23 in Sioux Falls
Live Stream: BALLY SPORTS SUN, ESPN+
All-Time Record: 11-25
Streak: L1
After more than a week off, the Skyforce returns for a 2023 Western Conference Finals rematch with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
Much like last season, both the Vipers and Skyforce sits atop of the NBA G League standings as the first month of the regular season unwinds. The Force swept the Vipers on road last season for the first time in franchise history, but were defeated in the Western Conference Finals at home.
Sioux Falls went on a nine-game winning streak and dropped two-of-three on a Texas and Maine roadtrip. Maine defeated Sioux Falls 131-125 despite HEAT two-way player Jamal Cain's 33 points and nine rebounds. Alondes Williams added 23 points, a season-high 11 rebounds and eight assists, for his seventh-straights game of 20-plus points.
The Vipers started the season 5-0 and recently split a two-game series at home against the Rip City Remix. They defeated the Remix 126-119, as former HEAT two-way player Darius Days led the team with 25 points on 9-22 FGA, 11 rebounds and five assists. Ray Spalding added 21 points on 9-19 FGA and five rebounds, as well.
The match-up tonight features two of the top five scoring offenses in the league (Sioux Falls first with 122.5 points per game and RGV fifth with 119.2 points per game).
The Vipers rank in the top-five in six of the nine main statistical categories and are first in the league in rebounding (50.4 per game).
A victory tonight would mark the longest home winning streak in the Kasib Powell era (seven) and most since 2015-16.
Both teams finish the regular season series on Thursday, with tip-off slated for 6:30 PM CST from the Sanford Pentagon.
SWIDER AND MANMAN TO ALL STAR WEEKEND
- The NBA G League announced on Monday that HEAT two-way forward Cole Swider and Skyforce guard Alondes Williams were selected to participate in the NBA G League Next Up Game presented by AT&T during NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis on Sunday, Feb 18.
- The duo, who has led Sioux Falls to a 10-2 record, becomes the first all-star selections for the Skyforce since Okaro White, Briante Weber and Keith Benson in 2016-17.
- Swider has appeared in 13 games for Sioux Falls this season on transfer between the Showcase Cup and regular season, where he's averaging 24.3 points per game on 48.8 percent shooting (46.2 percent from deep), 6.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per 37.0 minutes a game. He ranks third in scoring in the NBA G League during the regular season, with 25.2 points on 56.6 percent shooting (51.9 percent from deep).
- Williams has appeared in 35 games for the Skyforce this season and has averaged 20.4 points on 50.4 percent shooting (38.1 percent shooting), 5.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists per 36.2 minutes a game. He broke the franchise record for points scored in a game with 55 points on 21-30 FGA on January 7 against Salt Lake City. Williams followed that up with back-to-back NBA G League Player of the Week from January 2-7 and 8-13 and is averaging 23.5 points per game in 12 regular season appearances.
O THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
- Orlando Robinson is back for his second assignment stint with the Skyforce during the regular season. He etched a career-high 41 points and 13 rebounds and his 16th double-double in a Skyforce uniform on Jan 5 at Birmingham.
- The team moves to 12-5 when he accomplishes double digit points and rebounds.
- Robinson is just one double doubles away from breaking his NBA G League era franchise record for most consecutive double doubles. He is two away from the all-time franchise record of 10 consecutive double doubles.
- It also marked his 17th game of 20+ points scored with Sioux Falls (fifth of six total games in 2023-24), while the team is 13-4
when he accomplishes such feat.
- Sioux Falls is 13-2 in the last 15 appearances with Robinson, which dates back to the 2022-23 regular season.
NBA G League Stories from January 30, 2024
- Vipers Take Down Force in Second Half to Earn 118-111 Victory - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- 905 Fall to Celtics in Final Seconds - Raptors 905
- Vipers Hold Off Sioux Falls In 118-111 Victory - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- Windy City Tops Birmingham 117-104 - Birmingham Squadron
- Maine Celtics Take Down Raptors 905 - Maine Celtics
- Game Notes: Rip City Remix (8-4) at Salt Lake City Stars (4-8), January 30 at 6 p.m. PT - Rip City Remix
- McGriff's Game-Winner Clinches Hustle Victory over Warriors - Memphis Hustle
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- Motor City Cruise Acquire Guard Devon Higgs - Motor City Cruise
- Mac McClung to Participate in 2024 Panini Rising Stars - Osceola Magic
- Charge Make Roster Moves - Cleveland Charge
- Charge Fans, Assemble - Cleveland Charge
- Ignite Falls to Oklahoma City, 116-96 - NBA G League Ignite
- Iowa Wolves Fall to South Bay Lakers, 124-113 - Iowa Wolves
- South Bay Lakers Hold off Wolves - South Bay Lakers
- Game Preview: Skyforce vs Vipers - Sioux Falls Skyforce
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