No. 4 Vipers Advance To Conference Semifinals

EDINBURG, Texas (March 31, 2026) – The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (1-0), the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, defeated the Austin Spurs (0-1) 117-106 on Tuesday night during the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the NBA G League Playoffs presented by Google at Bert Ogden Arena. 

As the game tipped-off so did the battle for the lead began. The game was back-and-forth until Austin gained a 9-7 advantage. However, the Vipers hit a 15-0 run and captured a 22-9 lead with less than five minutes left in the quarter. To end the quarter, RGV extended its lead to 36-20. 

In the second quarter, the Vipers dominated and had the upper hand the entire quarter. The team picked up the biggest lead of the night with a 25-point differential. Daishen Nix scored 18 points for the Vipers and Kyle Mangas scored 15 points. 

Austin cut its disadvantage to 12 points in the third quarter. Mangas scored 18 of the team's 29 points in the quarter, setting the score at 90-78 in favor of the Vipers. The Spurs powered up in the fourth quarter, cutting their deficit to seven points with a score of 109-103. The Spurs outscored the Vipers 28-27, but in the end, it was not enough as the Vipers secured a 117-106 victory. 

Nix finished the night with 34 points. Houston Rockets two-way player Tristen Newton scored 18 points. John Knight III scored 15 points off the bench. 

Managas secured 45 points for the Spurs. Adam Flagler scored 20 points. Austin Spurs two-way player Harrison Ingram finished with a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds.  

The Vipers will now face the winner between the South Bay Lakers and San Diego Clippers in the semifinals of the Western Conference NBA G League Playoffs presented by Google.