Hustle enter all-star break with win over Stockton
Photo: Cameron Young, shown from a recent game, led the Memphis Hustle with 33 points, all off the bench, in Thursday’s victory. (Bob Bakken/DeSoto County Sports)
The Memphis Hustle, the Memphis Grizzlies’ NBA G League affiliate, defeated the Stockton Kings 121-114 on Thursday at the Landers Center in Southaven. Cameron Young lifted Memphis to victory with a game-high 33 points off the bench, marking a new career high.
Young totaled 33 points (6-8 3P), two assists and one steal in a season-high 42 minutes. Ahmad Caver finished just shy of a triple-double with 22 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Shaq Buchanan added 20 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Reggie Hearn led the team with 11 rebounds to go with nine points. Hearn has now amassed 3,410 career points, passing teammate David Stockton for 15th placeon the all-time NBA G League scoring list.
DJ Steward paced the Kings with 25 points (11-20 FG), six assists and two steals. Emanuel Terry posted a double-double with 21 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Ade Murkey added 16 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
Memphis grabbed control of the game in the second quarter, expanding its lead to as many as 19 points while outshooting the Kings 60% to 32% from the floor. Young sparked the Hustle with 12 of 33 points in the second quarter alone. The Hustle held a 43-35 advantage with 6:11 to play before half before closing the quarter on a 19-8 run, taking a 62-43 lead into the locker room.
Stockton opened the second half on a 24-9 run to trim the lead to just four points, 71-67. However, The Hustle immediately responded with a 25-9 run of their own to regain control of the game. Buchanan and Young combined for 22 points in the third quarter to slam the door on the Kings’ comeback attempt.
Despite both teams shooting over 50% from the floor, the Hustle outscored the kings 42-30 from 3-point range and outscored Stockton 23-6 from the free throw line, proving to be the difference in the game.
The Hustle head into the NBA G League All-Star break before returning to Landers Center vs. the Austin Spurs on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. CT. Fans unable to attend can catch the game on NBAGLeague.com.
