Vipers Face Defeat in Conference Quarterfinals
April 2, 2024 - NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (0-1), the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, fell 126-125 in overtime to Oklahoma City Blue (1-0) on Tuesday night at Paycom Center during the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2024 NBA G League Playoffs presented by Google Pixel.
The opening quarter was filled with eight ties and three lead changes. The fist lead change did not happen until 4:57 when Oklahoma City took over with a score of 20-18. After that, the game fluctuated but the Blue sealed the quarter at 28-24.
With 6:41 to go in the second quarter the Vipers had a three-point deficit, but the Blue made sure to extend the deficit by 10 with 4:32 to go and a score of 49-39. At the end of the second, Oklahoma had extended its lead by 12 and sent the game into the intermission with the scoreboard reading 59-47.
Oklahoma City continued with the upper hand throughout the third, but RGV picked up the momentum and cut it to six points resulting in a 90-84 quarter.
In the fourth quarter RGV came back and forced the game into overtime after a 119-119 draw at the end of regulation.
The target score was set at 126. RGV scored the opening two points and Oklahoma responded by scoring the next two. The game was once again tied at 121-121. The Vipers followed by scoring two more points, but Oklahoma once again tied it a123-123. In the end, Oklahoma City walked out victorious as they reached the target score first and walked away with a 126-125 victory.
Jarrett Culver paved the way for the Vipers with 29 points followed by Houston Rockets Two-Way Nate Hinton with a double-double with 22 points and 11 assists. Houston Rockets Two-Way Jermaine Samuels Jr. also had a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
Oklahoma City Thunder Two-Way Adam Flagler led all scorers with 30 points followed by Hunter Maldonado with 19 points. Jaden Shackelford finished with 18 points. Olivier Sarr had a double-double with 14 points and 22 rebounds.
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