Hustle fall to Stars 144-130 in road trip opener
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Hustle (1-4) closed out the 2025 calendar year with a 144-130 loss to the undefeated Salt Lake City Stars (3-0) on Tuesday night at Maverik Center in Utah.
Nate Hinton powered the Hustle with 32 points, 11 rebounds and four steals, delivering one of his strongest performances of the season. Charlie Brown Jr. added 24 points and seven rebounds, while Tyler Burton finished with 23 points and three steals. Evan Gilyard provided a spark off the bench with 20 points, and Jahmai Mashack contributed 15 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Salt Lake City’s Elijah Harkless led all scorers with 39 points and eight assists. Sean East II added 24 points off the bench, John Tonje matched him with 24, and Cameron McGriff posted a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Memphis erased an early 12-point deficit to briefly take a two-point lead late in the second quarter, but the Stars responded with a decisive 15-2 run to close the half. Salt Lake City extended its advantage to as many as 23 in the second half.
The Hustle forced turnovers effectively, scoring 36 points off Stars miscues, and outscored Salt Lake City 62-58 in the paint. However, the Stars’ perimeter shooting proved too much, as they hit 16 3-pointers and shot 47.1% from beyond the arc.
Memphis continues its three-game road trip Saturday, Jan. 3, with the first of two match ups against the South Bay Lakers at the UCLA Health Training Center in California. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. Central.
SCOREBOARD
Prep boys’ basketball
- Fort Smith, Ark. Northside 71, Lewisburg 40
NBA G League basketball
- Salt Lake City Stars 144, Memphis Hustle 130
