The Memphis Hustle (8-2), the NBA G League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies, fell to the Stockton Kings (11-2) 124-104 on Thursday at Stockton Arena.
Jordan Ford led the Kings with 25 points, Keon Ellis followed with 23 points and Trey Burke added 19 points off the bench. Neemias Queta finished with 12 points and six rebounds, and Chance Comanche posted a double-double behind 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
Matthew Hurt led the Hustle with a season-high 21 points off the bench. Kenneth Lofton Jr. posted 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists, and Justin Bean followed with 16 points. Damien Jefferson scored 13 points, and Jacob Gilyard posted his second double-double of the regular season with 12 points and a season-high tying 13 assists.
The Kings posted 36 points in the first quarter and 30-21 in the second period to lead 66-50 at halftime. Ford scored 16 points and shot 4-of-4 from 3-point range in the first half. Stockton increased their lead to as many as 30 points in the third quarter and led 97-79 entering the final frame.
Stockton outscored Memphis 58-38 in points in the paint and 30-7 in fast break points. The Kings shot 100 percent from the free throw line and 44.8 percent from 3-point range, compared to the Hustle’s 66.7 percent from the line and 35 percent from deep.
Memphis will rematch with Stockton on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 5 p.m. Central time in the second match-up of their two-game series.
