Hustle take down Texas Legends

Photo: Shaq Buchanan of the Memphis Hustle, shown here earlier this season, scored a career-high 40 points against the Texas Legends Sunday afternoon. (Bob Bakken/DeSoto County Sports)

The Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ NBA G League affiliate, defeated the Texas Legends 110-97 on Sunday at Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas behind a career night from Shaq Buchanan.

Buchanan totaled a career-high 40 points (15-22 FG), a season-high 14 rebounds and a game-high seven assists while knocking down a season-high seven 3-pointers. Cameron Young posted a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Reggie Hearn added 18 points, and EJ Onu tallied 13 points, nine rebounds and a career-high seven blocks.

Carlik Jones scored 25 points on 9-of-21 shooting to lead the Legends. Feron Hunt posted a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Brandon Fields added 16 points, and Isaiah Brown totaled 16 points, off the bench.

Memphis led 99-97 with 2:20 to play in the fourth quarter when Brown connected on a layup in transition following a turnover from Hearn. Memphis responded with an 11-0 run in the final 1:53, holding Texas scoreless on their final seven shot attempts. The Hustle limited the Legends to 36.7% shooting in the fourth quarter, including just 1-of-16 from 3-point range. The Hustle shot 56.8% in the second half, including 41.2% from deep.

Buchanan and Hearn combined for 37 points and 14 rebounds in the final 22 minutes to help put the Legends away. Despite Memphis leading by as many as 18 points, the game featured 14 different lead changes, including eight in the second half.

Memphis scored 19 of the first 21 points in the first quarter, including a 15-0 run to start to start the game. The Hustle held a 30-16 lead after 12 minutes while shooting 61.9% from the field.

The Legends fought back in the second quarter, capitalizing on a 16-2 run to tie the game at 32-32 with 7:23 remaining before half. The Hustle settled for a 50-49 lead at the break after being outscored 33-20 in the second quarter. Buchanan led the Hustle with 19 points at the break.

Next, the Hustle travel to Birmingham face the Squadron for the fourth and final time this season on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

News Release