South Bay Lakers Suffer Heartbreaking Loss in Ontario

The Ontario Clippers (10-8), the NBA G League affiliate of the LA Clippers, come from behind to defeat the South Bay Lakers (9-6), 123-122, on Sunday afternoon to snap a three-game losing streak. 

The Clippers trio of Xavier Moon, Nate Darling, and Keaton Wallace combined for 96 points in the win. Moon led the pack with a game-high 36 points on 14-25 FGM (5-10 3PM) and six assists. Wallace (12-18 FGM, 4-6 3PM) and Darling (10-23 FGM, 3-8 3PM) each recorded 30 points. 

South Bay’s Shaquille Harrison finished the night with a double-double of 22 points (6-9 FGM) and 10 assists. Bryce Hamilton added 19 points (7-12 FGM) and five rebounds. Javante McCoy led the Lakers’ bench with 18 points (9-11 FGM), eight rebounds, and five assists. 

The Lakers held the advantage for most of the night, with their lead growing to as much as 19 in the third quarter, but the Clippers went into the fourth quarter on a mission. Down 15 to open the final frame, Ontario rode a 26-12 run to draw to within a single point midway through the quarter. An offensive rebound and bucket by Warith Alatishe gave Ontario their first lead since the opening minutes and they would not trail again. 

South Bay had a chance to win the game in the final seconds on a Max Christie fadeaway, but the ball couldn’t find the net. 

Ontario shot 70.8 percent in the fourth quarter (17-24 FGM, 5-9 3PM) to outscore South Bay 46-30. The Lakers were more efficient overall on the night, shooting 58.5 percent from the field (48-82 FGM) to the Clippers 49.5 percent (45-91 FGM). 

Next up, the Clippers look to sweep the two-game series against the South Bay Lakers in a Thursday matinee. Tip-off is scheduled for 11 am PST inside the Toyota Arena.