LAS VEGAS, NV – The Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League, presented by Cleveland Clinic, were defeated by the Salt Lake City Stars, 123-97, in their first game of the 2021 NBA G League Winter Showcase.  The Charge will wrap up the exhibition event tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. EST against the Stockton Kings.

The Charge were led by Justin James scoring 26 points on 5-of-10 from three-point range with six rebounds and six assists in 35 minutes.  Malik Newman scored 25 points with six rebounds and six assists in 36 minutes.  Norvel Pelle scored 16 points and grabbed nine boards in 32 minutes.  Josh Huestis added 12 points, eight rebounds and two steals.

Salt Lake City was paced by Utah Jazz assignment Elijah Hughes scoring 22 points with seven rebounds in 25 minutes.  Carsen Edwards scored a game-high 27 points with six boards and six assists in 32 minutes.  The Stars had 22 second-chance points to Cleveland’s 10, while the Salt Lake City bench scored 52 points.