Tag: Salt Lake City Stars

G League Action: Kings get revenge score 38 points in 4th quarter to defeat Stars 120-111

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The Stockton Kings guard Dexter Dennis looks to pass the ball against the Salt Lake City Stars at Maverik Center in West Valley Utah on Thu Jan 16, 2025 (Stockton Kings X photo)

By William Espy

After a disappointing loss to the Salt Lake City Stars on Tuesday, the Stockton Kings had revenge on their mind as they returned to the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah.

The Kings got out to an early 27-19 lead in the first quarter, and maintained it through the second. Salt Lake City had a high-scoring third quarter which put them in the lead heading into the final frame with the opportunity to sweep the back-to-back between the two teams. An explosive 38 points in the final quarter shot Stockton back into the lead, and they’d walk away with a 120-111 win.

The difference was ultimately the Kings’ ability to have multiple offensive options. They had five players score 17 or more points, led by an unlikely hero, Antoine Davis who finished the night with 20 points. Strong contributions from Skal Labissiere, Terry Taylor, Isaiah Crawford and Dexter Dennis helped the Kings get back to their winning ways.

Davis had a phenomenal night from beyond the arc, as he went 6-10 from three-point range.

Mason Jones struggled a bit shooting 4-11 on the night, but as one of Stockton’s top performers this season they’ll certainly hope to see him back to his normal level of play next time out.

Meanwhile for the Stars, Taevion Kinsey and Justin Lewis not only led the team in points but were very efficient with their shot selection. Kinsey finished with 28 points, going 12-16 from the field while Lewis went 8-11, ending up with a total of 23 points. If Dereon Seabron was able to hit a few more of his shots for Salt Lake City, it could’ve been a much different story. He was 4-15 in general, but went 0-4 from three-point range.

Rebounds also went firmly in Stockton’s favor, as they ended the night leading 46-34 in that regard. Jon Elmore had a strong night defensively, leading both teams in steals with three on the night.

It was a big win for Stockton, as they solidified their position in the standings. They’re currently second in the Western Conference, and they’re quickly establishing themselves as a major contender in the G-League.

The Kings’ next match up will be a massively important one, as they’ll face the leaders of the Western Conference, the Santa Cruz Warriors on the road. The Warriors have spent their entire season on the road so far, so Stockton will have added pressure as Santa Cruz will certainly want to put on a show for their home fans in their home opener

G League action: Stars slip by Kings in narrow win 121-117 at the Maverik Center

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Isaiah Crawford forward (11) of the Stockton Kings takes a free throw against the Salt Lake City Stars at the Maverik Center in West Valley City Utah on Tue Jan 14, 2025 (Stockton Kings X photo)

By William Espy

The Stockton Kings were back on the road on Tuesday night, as they visited the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah to take on the Salt Lake City Stars.

Starting the night, the Kings found themselves first in the Western Conference. They were hoping to continue building off of their 6-1 start to the season, while the Stars were looking to move above .500. Ultimately, the Stars would be on the winning end of things as they’d narrowly win, 121-117.

Stockton got off to an early lead, ending the first quarter up 26-22, however Salt Lake City bounced back with a strong second quarter. They dropped 37 points in the second frame, making it a 59-54 lead for the home team at halftime.

The second half would mirror the first. The Kings had a strong third quarter and after scoring 33 points in the third, they held a lead going into the final frame. They’d be unable to contain the Stars’ offense in the fourth quarter though, and Salt Lake City would walk away with a 121-117 win.

Mason Jones had a great individual performance for Stockton, scoring 30 points with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Terry Taylor also had a strong night, going 22/5/5 for the Kings.

Chasson Randle was +17 on the night, meaning he was having a massively positive impact for the Kings, as they weren’t giving up many baskets with him on the floor.

Salt Lake City had two standouts on the night, with Oscar Tshiebwe scoring 30 and grabbing 22 boards while Elijah Harkless dropped 29 points. The most impressive thing for Tahiebwe was the fact that 10 of his rebounds were offensive, generating more offense for his team which ultimately became the difference between a win and a loss.

Despite Tahiebwe’s spectacular performance on the glass, his teammates didn’t help him out much and the Stars finished with just two more rebounds than the Kings.

Due to the loss, the Kings will now trail the Santa Cruz Warriors at the top of the West. They’ll look to get revenge on Thursday, when they visit the Stars once again. After that, the Kings will have one of their most important games of the season as they’ll visit the team at the top of the conference, Santa Cruz.

Kings win home opener 116-112 in G League action at Adventist Health Arena

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The Stockton Heat and the Salt Lake City Stars battled in G League action at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton on Wed Nov 13, 2024 (Stockton Kings photo)

By William Espy

STOCKTON-The Sacramento Kings’ G-League affiliate, the Stockton Kings held their home opener on Wednesday night at AdventistHealth Arena, hosting the Salt Lake City Stars, the affiliate of the Utah Jazz. Both teams started their season with a loss, as the Kings fell to the Valley Suns on the road while the South Bay Lakers defeated the Stars. The Kings beat the Stars in close one by four points 116-112 in the home opener.

Kings Starters: Isaiah Crawford, Dexter Dennis, Jon Elmore, Skal Labissiere, Terry Taylor Stars Starters: Dane Goodwin, Isaiah Wong, Keshawn Justice, Oscar Tshiebwe, Taevion Kinsey

The Stars won the tip, but Isaiah Crawford made his presence felt early with a block on Isaiah Wong. That would be the theme of the opening minutes, the Kings were defensively solid getting multiple blocks and a steal in the first two minutes. Importantly, they were taking the ball down to the other end and converting on their possessions as well. Less than halfway through the first quarter, the Kings already had three blocks and two steals.

At the end of the first, the Kings would have a 32-28 lead. Dexter Dennis and Skal Labissiere were both off to a hot start offensively, with nine and six points respectively. As a whole, the Kings were shooting 56.7% while Salt Lake City was struggling offensively with just 34.6%.

Stockton extended their lead in the second half, as Labissiere and Dennis continued to score with ease. Labissiere was 6-6 from the field in the first half for 15 points while Dennis was 4-7 for a total of 12 points. On the other side, Oscar Tshiebwe had recorded a double-double before the game even reached half-time. He had 14 points and tenj rebounds heading into the break.

Throughout the night, Tshiebwe played a big part in the Stars’ being in the game. The Stars were also grabbing quite a few more boards than the Kings, as they led in that category 25-17. Drew Timme was in a bit of foul trouble early for the Kings though, having 3 personal fouls after 24 minutes.

Terry Taylor and Timme stepped up in the second half for the Kings. Near the end of the third quarter, Taylor quickly tied Labissiere for the team lead in points, with 17 apiece. Meanwhile, Timme had 14 of his own. The Kings pulled away quite a bit in the third, finishing the quarter with a 95-74 lead.

Heading into the fourth quarter, it seemed like it was the Kings’ game to lose but the Stars still had plenty of time to go on a run of their own. The Stars did just that, making it a nine-point game with just over seven minutes remaining.

The Kings were also held to just four points in the first five minutes of the quarter, leading 99-90. Wong was a bit part of the reason why the Stars pulled themselves back, with just over four minutes remaining, he was at 33 points on the night.

The Stars brought it within two points, but Labissiere put the game away with seven seconds remaining, extending the lead to four with only enough time for one possession.

The Kings ended up walking away with a 116-112 win, following a strong showing in the fourth quarter by the visitors. The two teams will face off again this Friday, once again at AdventistHealth Arena.

Santa Cruz Warriors podcast: Warriors exhaust Stars 129-115 at Kaiser Permanente

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The Santa Cruz Warriors guard Yuri Collins (99) drives on the Salt Lake City Stars guard Josh Christopher (13) at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz on Sat Nov 11, 2023 (Santa Cruz Warriors photo)

On the Santa Cruz Warriors podcast with Gary Teh and Michael Wang:

#1 Gary and Michael talk about the Santa Cruz Warriors tonight they got off to a great lead in the first quarter with a 39-23 lead they really established the inside game and got some great offense from high scorer Brice Sensabaugh.

#2 The Salt Lake City Stars tightened up the defense in the second quarter but the Warriors edged them out with a 29-26 margin and a wide half time lead 68-49.

#3 The Warriors opened up their season on Friday against the Stockton Kings 125-114 and grabbed their second win 129-115 for their second home victory.

#4 Following up Sensabaugh for scoring is Josh Christopher who finished with 20 he was vital in tonight’s Warriors offense.

#5 The Stars really never had a chance in this one as the Warriors stay well ahead of them and never got with shouting distance and the Stars the closest they came was within four points but the Warriors pulled away.

Michael Wang and Gary Teh covered the Salt Lake City Stars at Santa Cruz Warriors game on Sat Nov 11, 2023 for http://www.sportsradioservice.com