Ignite Returns to the Court to Face the Oklahoma City Blue

After securing a victory in their official debut, NBA G League Ignite returns to the court to face the Oklahoma City Blue Friday afternoon at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports near Orlando, Fla. The pair of 1-0 squads meet at 3 p.m. ET, airing live on ESPNU. Ignite, the first-of-its-kind program dedicated to developing the world’s top young prospects, showcased its wide-ranging talent in the season opener against Santa Cruz. NBA veteran Jarrett Jack led the way with a game-high 23 points, while projected Top 5 draft pick Jonathan Kuminga shined among the team’s elite youth, scoring 19 points alongside four assists, two rebounds and two blocks.   Ignite matches up against an OKC Blue squad that also claimed a victory in its season opener, 118-84 over Salt Lake City, behind 20-point outings from Antonius Cleveland (25) and Rob Edwards (21). The Blue outrebounded the Stars 68-38 and shot 45.6 percent from the field.   LAST TIME OUT Ignite claimed the win in its first official NBA G League game, topping Santa Cruz 110-104 behind Jarrett Jack’s 23-point performance. Jack shot 90 percent (9-10) to lead a 51.8 percent (44-85) collective shooting effort, while Ignite limited the Warriors to 39.3 percent (33-84) from the floor. Young stars Jonathan Kuminga (19 points), Daishen Nix (12), Jalen Green (11) and Isaiah Todd (2) combined for 44 points. Ignite built as large as a 20-point lead, but the Warriors brought the game back within three points. Free throws by Brandon Ashley and Daishen Nix helped Ignite seal the win.   BY THE NUMBERS 90.0 Jarrett Jack’s 90.0 percent (9-10) shooting performance against Santa Cruz marked a league-best total after the first day of single-site competition. 9 Jalen Green scored 9 of his 11 points against Santa Cruz in the second half. His five rebounds were also the most among Ignite’s rookies, and he added two assists. 39.3 Ignite limited the Warriors to 39.3 percent (33-84) from the floor while shooting 51.8 percent (44-85). Jonathan Kuminga (9-18), Brandon Ashley (7-12), Daishen Nix (4-7) and Jarrett Jack (9-10) all shot above 50.0 percent.