Vipers Drop Season Opener
November 10, 2023 - NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (0-1), the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, dropped its season opener 123-117 against the Memphis Hustle (1-0) on Friday night at Landers Center.
Memphis jumped to an early lead over the Vipers, but the Vipers came back and tied the game 8-8 with 9:54 to go in the first quarter. Memphis then went on an 8-0 run and took a 16-8 lead over the Vipers, but RGV came from behind and tied the game 18-18 with 4:26 on the clock. RGV took a slight 20-18 lead, but Memphis picked up the momentum and obtained a 10-point advantage over the visiting team which resulted in a score of 37-27 at the end of the first.
In the second quarter, the Hustle maintained a 10-point lead for the first two minutes of the quarter. RGV then cut that lead to two points and set the score at 45-43 in favor of the Hustle with 6:40 to go. The Vipers continued to push, but with 2:21 left Memphis was back to having a 10-point lead with a score of 65-55. The game went into halftime with the Vipers trailing 71-64.
During the third quarter the Vipers attempted to make a comeback, but the third quarter ended 100-91 in favor of the Hustle. In the fourth quarter the Vipers clipped the Hustles lead to just five points, but despite the Vipers efforts Memphis pulled away with a 123-117 victory.
Jarrett Culver paved the way for the Vipers with 24 points followed by Houston Rockets Two-Way player Nate Hinton who posted a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Both Darius Days and Houston Rockets assignment, Cam Whitmore, contributed 19 points each. Houston Rockets Two-Way player Jermaine Samuels Jr. finished with 10 points.
David Johnson led Memphis with 27 points followed by Memphis Grizzlies Two-Way player GG Jackson with 25 points and Jason Preston with 17 points. Matt Hurt contributed 13 points. Adonis Arms finished with 11 points. Also scoring in the double digits was Loudon Love with 10 points.
The Vipers return to the court tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. CST for a rematch against the Memphis Hustle at Landers Center. The game may be livestreamed at www.NBAGLeague.com.
NBA G League Stories from November 10, 2023
- Murray, Rupert Assigned To Rip City Remix - Rip City Remix
- Magic Fall in Season Opener to Capitanes - Osceola Magic
- South Bay Lakers Fall in Showcase Cup Opener - South Bay Lakers
- Blue Coats Drop Season Opener to Westchester - Delaware Blue Coats
- Windy City Bulls Fall to Iowa Wolves on Opening Night - Windy City Bulls
- Iowa Wolves Win Season Opener Over Windy City, 125-117 - Iowa Wolves
- Squadron Open Season with 130-90 Blowout Win Over Austin Spurs - Birmingham Squadron
- Wisconsin Herd Falls Short in Cleveland - Wisconsin Herd
- Vipers Drop Season Opener - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- Long Island Defeats Raptors 905 in Home Opener - Long Island Nets
- Maine Celtics Fall in Season Opener - Maine Celtics
- Charge Rally in Third to Win Season Opener - Cleveland Charge
- Raptors 905 Fall in Season Opener - Raptors 905
- Game Preview: Skyforce vs Mad Ants - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Game Times Changed for Two Austin Spurs Matchups - Austin Spurs
- Birmingham Squadron and Pearl River Resort Ink First-Ever Jersey Patch Partnership - Birmingham Squadron
- Greensboro Swarm Announce 23-24 Season Opener Roster and Basketball Operations Additions - Greensboro Swarm
- Blue Announces 2023-24 Roster - Oklahoma City Blue
- Wisconsin Herd Announce 2023-24 Opening Night Roster - Wisconsin Herd
- College Park Skyhawks Announce Opening Night Roster - College Park Skyhawks
- SLC Stars Announce 2023-24 Opening Day Roster - Salt Lake City Stars
- Windy City Bulls Renew Local Broadcasting Partnership with NBC Sports Chicago - Windy City Bulls
- Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. Announces New Beer with Osceola Magic - Osceola Magic
- Jameer Nelson Named Blue Coats General Manager - Delaware Blue Coats
- Game Preview: Capital City Go-Go vs. Maine Celtics - Capital City Go-Go
- Skyforce Looks to Build on Successful 2022-23 Campaign - Sioux Falls Skyforce
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.
