Photo credit: David Becker, Getty Images
HENDERSON, Nev., Nov. 10, 2023 – NBA G League Ignite (0-1) fell in its season opener to the Ontario Clippers (1-0), 109-102, on Friday at The Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nev.
John Jenkins and Tyler Smith led the way for Ignite after pouring in 22 points each. Smith added three rebounds and three blocks while shooting 8-of-9 from the field, including 4-of-4 from the three-point line. Ron Holland followed closely behind with 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. David Stockton nearly recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.
Jordan Miller paced the Clippers behind a 21-point performance with three blocks, two assists and two rebounds while shooting 8-of-11 from the field, including 2-of-2 from behind the arc. George King added 18 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Warith Alatishe and Xavier Moon pitched in 12 points each. Alatishe tallied eight rebounds and five steals, while Moon recorded 10 rebounds and seven assists.
The Clippers began to pull away in the second quarter en route to outscoring Ignite in the frame by 10 points to take a 64-51 lead into halftime. The Clippers dug in defensively to cause nine steals in the quarter, resulting in 12 points on the other end. The Clippers continued to take control of the game in the second half after starting the third quarter on a 14-2 run to increase its lead by 25 points, its largest of the game. Down 78-53 with a little over seven minutes remaining in the frame, Ignite caught fire and went on a 40-16 run to cut its deficit to one point with under five minutes to go in regulation. The Clippers were able to weather the storm with timely buckets the stretch to escape with the seven-point victory.
Next Up
Ignite will face off against the Ontario Clippers on Saturday, Nov. 11, on the second night of back-to-back games at The Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nev. The action will begin at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET and will air on NBA G League TV on Tubi and locally on SSSEN and FOX5 Las Vegas.
