EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Behind a dominant 27-point, 10-assist double-double from Mac McClung, the South Bay Lakers (1-0), the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers, advanced to the second round of the NBA G League Playoffs by taking down the Santa Cruz Warriors (0-1), 134-123, in front of a packed house at the UCLA Health Training Center on Tuesday night.
With the season on the line, South Bay came out ready to play. McClung facilitated the offense early on with seven assists in the first quarter, and the Lakers held a seven-point lead after 12 minutes of play, 36-29. The Lakers knocked down 12 three pointers in the first two quarters and totaled 70 first-half points for the third straight game, extending their lead to nine at halftime.
South Bay kept up the pace in the third quarter as 15 of the team’s 37 points in the frame were on the fast break. Santa Cruz did not go down without a fight, however, cutting what was once a 23-point lead down to just six with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. South Bay’s offense was too much to overcome in the end, and the Lakers secured the home victory, 134-123.
Lakers two-way guard Mason Jones was dominant in all areas of the game tonight, finishing with 24 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Starting forward Chaundee Brown Jr. contributed with an efficient 21 points (8-13 FG) and eight boards, while Paris Bass posted 17 points and 12 rebounds, his ninth double-double of the season.
All Warriors starters scored in double figures, including Kendall Smith who recorded a team-high 25 points. Former first round draft pick Jerome Robinson (19 points and 10 assists) and big man Selom Mawugbe (19 points, 13 rebounds) each tallied double-doubles in the loss.
Advancing to the second round of the NBA G League Playoffs, South Bay will hit the road to take on the Agua Caliente Clippers (two seed) in another single-elimination playoff game. The teams will square up Thursday night, April 7, at 7 P.M. PT, and the contest will air on NBA TV.