After a fiery 4-0 start to the G League season, the Kai Sotto-less Ignite suffered their second straight loss of the season after falling to the Westchester Knicks in overtime, 121-113, on Thursday, February 18 (Friday, February 19, Manila time) at the Disney World bubble in Orlando, Florida.
Former NBA player Donta Hall led the way for Ignite with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Filipino-American star Jalen Green finished with an all-around game of 15 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the loss.
Sweet-shooting big man Isaiah Todd added 14 points, while top prospect Jonathan Kuminga and NBA veteran Amir Johnson had 11 points apiece.
Leading by 7 points, 66-59, at halftime, Ignite failed to sustain their momentum in the 2nd half as the Knicks managed to keep the game within striking distance.
With 40 seconds left in the game and Ignite up by 2, 110-108, Daishen Nix committed a loose ball foul that sent Justin Patton of the Knicks to the free-throw line, which ultimately brought the game into overtime.
In the extra period, the Knicks, led by Louis King, exposed Ignite’s lack of experience in the end game as they outscored the young prospects, 11-3, to seal the victory.
Ignas Brazdeikis topscored for the Knicks with 21 points, along with 10 rebounds, while King, who shot 3-of-3 from three-point range in overtime, finished with 18 points.
Ignite will get a much-needed two-day break before they face the Greensboro Swarm on Monday, February 22, Manila time, with the 7-foot-3 Filipino basketball wunderkind Sotto hopefully back in the frame. –Rappler.com
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