Southaven, Miss. (Dec. 16, 2022) – The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (12-4), the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, fell 117-113 to the Memphis Hustle (9-6) on Friday night at Landers Center. 

Memphis got off to a hot start in the first quarter. With 3:45 to go the Hustle went into a 19-0 run against the Vipers and took a 30-9 advantage. After that, the Vipers were able to put up 10 points while only allowing Memphis to score five which sent the game into the second quarter with a 35-19 lead for Memphis.

In the second quarter the Vipers outscored its opponent 35-29. With 6:10 to go RGV trailed by 11 points and a score of 49-38, but as the quarter continued the Vipers decreased the lead of the home team to just four points which sent the game into the half with a score of 60-54.  

During the third quarter the Vipers pushed to come back, but despite the team’s efforts Memphis had a slight 95-88 lead over RGV at the end of the third.

With 8:25 to go the Vipers took its first lead of the game 100-99, but Memphis quickly turned things around and had a lead until the clock read 2:30 when the Vipers took back a 113-111 lead. With 2:08 to go Memphis came back and tied the game 113-113. The game remained tied until 17.3 seconds remained. After that, the Hustle scored two points which gave them a 115-113 advantage. The home team then went on to extend its lead by four and ended the game with a 117-113 victory.

Memphis was led by Memphis Grizzlies Two-Way player Kenneth Lofton Jr. with a double-double 33 points and 16 rebounds. Both Memphis Grizzlies assignee Jake LaRavia and Justin Bean finished with 18 points each. Dakota Mathias and Damien Jefferson ended the night with 12 points each. Terrell Brown Jr. posted 10 points.   

Houston Rockets assignee, Josh Christopher, led the Vipers with 31 points and six rebounds. Louis King and Houston Rockets Two-Way player Darius Days followed with 22 and 20 points, respectively. Jalen Lecque finished the game with 14 points. 

The Vipers have secured first place in the South Pod which qualifies the team for the AT&T Winter Showcase Playoffs which are set to begin on Monday, Dec. 19 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Game times, dates and opponents are to be determined. Games will be streamed via ESPNU, ESPN+, NBA TV, ESPN2 and NBAGLeague.com.