Sports stats



G League Salt Lake City Stars

Stars Shoot to Victory in First Winter Showcase Cup Match-Up

December 20, 2023 - NBA G League (G League)
Salt Lake City Stars News Release


ORLANDO, Fla., - The Salt Lake City Stars, the official NBA G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, relied on lights out shooting from deep as they cruised to victory in their first of two Winter Showcase contests in Orlando, defeating the Maine Celtics (Boston Celtics' G League affiliate) in a 122-99 rout.

Salt Lake City shot 50% from three for the game, sinking 17-of-34 attempts. The Stars were led by Utah Jazz two-way guard Johnny Juzang, who secured a game-high (and season high) 29 points in 26 minutes off the bench. The two-way guard sank a season high seven-of-ten three-point attempts on the night. Utah Jazz assignment player Brice Sensabaugh added 20 points on 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Jazz two-way player Micah Potter recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds for another double-double in his return to the starting lineup, while Nick Ongenda impressed again with 12 of the Stars 64 bench points, 6 rebounds and two steals in 22 minutes off the bench.

The Stars fell behind early but used a 15-4 run to turn a 7-2 deficit into a 17-11 lead. Salt Lake City shot over 60% from the floor, pushing the lead to 38-22 after the first quarter. Maine held Salt Lake City to 25 points in the second quarter, but the Celtics could not overcome the stifling defense of the Stars. Maine was held to just 37.5% from the field and 17.6% from three, including 1-of-8 in the second frame. Meanwhile Juzang's 18 first half points powered Salt Lake City into the locker room with a 63-42 advantage.

Salt Lake City remained in command as play resumed in the second half. Eight different Stars scored at least one field goal, and Maine was held under 30% from the floor in the quarter. Salt Lake City finished the third quarter ahead 94-63. The Stars pushed their lead to its largest in the final frame by 39 points, before emptying the bench, finishing with the 122-99 final victory.

Boston Celtics assignee Jordan Walsh led Maine with 19 points to go along with three rebounds. Boston two-way player JD Davison tallied 16 points, adding 5 assists and 4 rebounds to his line.

Salt Lake City finishes up Showcase Cup play on Friday, Dec. 22 against the Greensboro Swarm at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The contest tips off at 11:30 a.m. MT and will be broadcast LIVE on ESPNU.

Check out the Salt Lake City Stars Statistics

• Discuss this story on the NBA G League message board...

NBA G League Stories from December 20, 2023


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.

OurSports Central