No. 1 South Bay Lakers Hold Off No. 8 San Diego In Playoff Opener
Official Release /April 3, 2026
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EL SEGUNDO – The South Bay Lakers defeated the San Diego Clippers 122-119 Wednesday night at UCLA Health Training Center in the first round of the NBA G League Playoffs presented by Google.
Five South Bay players scored in double figures, led by Los Angeles Lakers two-way forward Drew Timme, who recorded 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Center Malik Williams added 21 points, five rebounds, one assist, four steals and two blocks. Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bufkin, on assignment with South Bay, contributed 20 points, four rebounds, five assists and one block. Two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. recorded 18 points, one rebound, five assists and two steals, while forward Arthur Kaluma added 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The teams traded leads throughout the contest, with 27 lead changes, including eight in the fourth quarter. South Bay took a 121-119 lead with 48 seconds remaining on a Chris Mañon dunk and secured the victory with a Mañon steal and a blocked three-point attempt by Kobe Bufkin in the closing seconds.
Four San Diego players scored in double figures. LA Clippers forward Cam Christie, on assignment, led the team with a double-double, recording 33 points, 13 rebounds, one assist and three steals. Two-way guards Sean Pedulla and TyTy Washington Jr. each added 26 points, while two-way center Norchad Omier recorded a double-double with 16 points, 13 rebounds and two assists.
With the win, South Bay advanced to the Western Conference Semifinal and will host the Rio Grande Valley Vipers at UCLA Health Training Center on Friday, April 3 at 7 p.m. Fans can click here to purchase tickets.
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