Hustle clinch playoff spot with 114–87 win over Vipers

By Memphis Hustle Staff /March 19, 2023

SOUTHAVEN, MS - MARCH 18: Terrell Brown #10 of the Memphis Hustle drives against Jarrett Culver #8 of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers during an NBA G-League game on March 18, 2022 at Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi. (Photo by Brandon Dill/NBAE via Getty Images)

Southaven, Miss. – The Memphis Hustle (21-7), the NBA G League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies, defeated the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (16-13) to clinch a spot in the 2023 NBA G League Playoffs.

On assignment from the Grizzlies, Ziaire Williams led the Hustle with 26 points to go with six rebounds and five assists. Matt Hurt tallied 13 points and nine rebounds. Justin Bean added with 11 points and eight rebounds. The Hustle had three reserves score in double figures, as Sean McDermott finished with 12 points, Terrell Brown Jr. contributed 11 points and Adonis Arms chipped in 10 points.

Darius Days paced the Vipers and secured a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Jalen Lecque added 17 points off the bench. Trhae Mitchell finished with 13 points and six rebounds. Ray Spalding tallied 12 points and six rebounds.

The Hustle held a slim lead over the Vipers before closing the second quarter on a 12-4 run helped them take a 12-point lead into the halftime break. The Hustle jumped out to a 17-9 start to the third quarter, before the Vipers responded with a 9-0 run to cut the lead back down to 11. The Hustle closed the third quarter on a 9-3 run to extend their lead back to 18 entering the fourth quarter. The Hustle led by as many as 34 in the final quarter to secure the victory.

The Hustle held the Vipers to a regular season-low 87 points. Memphis shot 50% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc. while limiting Rio Grande Valley to just 20.5% shooting from deep. The Hustle scored 20 points off Vipers turnovers. Memphis assisted on 25 of their 39 made field goals.

The Hustle will hit the road for their final four games of the regular season, starting with a two-game series against the Ontario Clippers on Monday, March 20, at 9 p.m. CT.

Single-game tickets for all regular season Hustle games are on sale now. Tickets start as low as $14 and are available for purchase at Tick etmaster.com or by calling (901) 888-HOOP. Additionally, all-inclusive floor seats and tables are still available for purchase, and the Hustle are accepting $50 deposits for groups of 10-or-more.

For more information on the Memphis Hustle, visit memphishustle.com, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@MemphisHustle) or like Memphis Hustle on Facebook.