Hustle fall to Vipers at G League Showcase

The Memphis Hustle (5-10) dropped their first game at the Winter Showcase 114-106 against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (9-6) on Wednesday, Dec. 20 in Orlando, Florida.

Two-way transfer GG Jackson II notched his third double-double of the season with 25 points and 11 rebounds. On assignment from the Grizzlies, Jake LaRavia tallied 22 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Davon Reed contributed 14 points and eight rebounds. Matthew Hurt added 13 points and seven rebounds. David Johnson scored 10 points off the bench.

Rockets assignee Cam Whitmore paced the Vipers with 28 points. Jarrett Culver added 15 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Jermaine Samuels Jr. scored 14 points. Darius Days secured a double-double, finishing with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Jalen Lecque tallied 13 points. Ray Spalding contributed 12 points.

The Vipers used a 26-9 first quarter run to take a double-digit lead. Memphis went on a 16-2 second half run to cut the game to single digits. The Hustle cut the deficit to 106-109 on a LaRavia free throw, but the Vipers closed the game on a 5-0 run to secure the win.

The Vipers outscored the Hustle 66-44 in the paint, with their bench outscoring Memphis 46-23. The Hustle scored 23 points off Vipers turnovers.

The Hustle will conclude the Winter Showcase with a matchup against Raptors 905 on Friday, Dec. 22, at 9:30 a.m.