G League Rio Grande Valley Vipers

Vipers Suffer Tough Loss to Oklahoma City

Published on January 3, 2023 under NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release


Oklahoma City, Okla. - The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (1-3), the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, dropped its match 122-117 against the Oklahoma City Blue (2-1) on Tuesday afternoon at Paycom Center.

With 8:44 to go in the first, the Vipers jumped to an 8-4 lead, but Oklahoma then went on a 5-0 run and took a 9-8 advantage with 7:35 to go. Oklahoma kept the lead until 3:36, when a basket by Kahlil Whitney tied the match 16-16. After that play, the Vipers lost the lead for a couple of seconds, but the team was able to come back and tie the contest 18-18 with 2:44 to go. RGV then hit the ground running and took a 32-28 lead at the end of the first.

The Vipers went on a 9-0 run and took a 10-point lead (41-31) to begin the second quarter. RGV led the quarter until there was 15.6 seconds remaining on the clock and Oklahoma tied the game 63-63, but the quarter was not over. Vipers Mustapha Heron hit a two-pointer right at the buzzer which gave RGV back a 65-63 advantage.

In the third quarter Oklahoma City was trying to make a comeback. With 4:16 to go the Blue trailed by two points with a score of 85-83, but the Vipers picked up the momentum and closed the third with a 96-89 lead.

During the first six minutes of the fourth quarter RGV led with a score of 104-103, but Oklahoma came back and turned things around. With 3:31 to go the Blue tied the quarter 109-109 and picked up the pace which allowed the home team to have a 114-112 advantage with 1:49 to go. Despite the Vipers efforts to pull away with a win, Oklahoma City walked away with a 122-117 victory.

Oklahoma City Thunder Two-Way player Lindy Waters III hit a double-double for the Blue with 30 points and 10 rebounds. Robert Woodard II finished with 24 points. D.J. Wilson posted another double-double for the team with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Adam Mokoka was just one rebound short of a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds. Both Jaden Shackelford and Ryan Woolridge posted 12 points each. Abdul Gaddy obtained a double-double with 10 points and 12 assists.

Jalen Lecque led the Vipers with a double-double posting 30 points and 10 assists. Houston Rockets Two-Way player Darius Days also hit a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Houston Rockets Two-Way player Trevor Hudgins and Kahlil Whitney finished with 17 points each. Mustapha Heron came off the bench to score 12 points. Trhae Mitchell hit 11 points. Ray Spalding contributed 11 rebounds.

RGV returns to its home court to play a back-to-back against the Sioux Falls Skyforce on Friday, Jan. 6 and Saturday, Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. CT at Bert Ogden Arena. Fans can stream the game via www.NBAGLeague.comor Somos El Valle 5.3.

During Friday's game the Vipers will be hosting a Different Is Beautiful theme night which will be centered around inclusivity and awareness for all disabilities. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a mini Vipers jersey presented by Driscoll Health System. On Saturday, RGV will be hosting a Points for Pets theme night presented by Raising Cane's. The Vipers, in conjunction with Yaqui Animal Rescue, will have an adoption area setup to adopt a furry friend during the game. Cane's will also be giving away dog bandanas to the first 500 fans in attendance. For more information visit www.rgvipers.com.

Check out the Rio Grande Valley Vipers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



NBA G League Stories from January 3, 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