Memphis Hustle's winning streak ends in Iowa

The Memphis Hustle (6-1), the NBA G League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies, saw their six-game winning streak to start the regular season come to an end, 110-107, against the Iowa Wolves (2-6) on Sunday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The Hustle were the NBA G League’s lone remaining undefeated team this season.

D.J. Carton led Iowa with 30 points and 11 assists, while Timberwolves assignee Josh Minott added 24 points off the bench. Minott made all four of his 3-point attempts, helping the Wolves shoot 19-of-45 (.422) from long range.

Dakota Mathias paced Memphis with 23 points, while Jacob Gilyard totaled 20 points and 11 assists for his first double-double of the season and fourth consecutive game with double-digit assists. Kenneth Lofton Jr. also double-doubled with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Justin Bean pulled down a career-high 17 boards.

The Hustle led 107-104 with 27.3 seconds remaining after a pair of Gilyard free throws. On the next possession, Memphis fouled Carton, who made the first free throw and missed the second. Minott secured the offensive rebound, leading an and-one dunk from Carton with 14.7 seconds left. Carton sank the free throw and completed the three-point play to put Iowa up 108-107.

Minott made two more free throws to put Iowa up 110-107 after Lofton Jr. could not convert what would have been the go-ahead shot in the lane. The Hustle had one more opportunity to tie, but Mathias’ deep 3-pointer did not connect at the buzzer.

The Hustle ended a 10-game winning streak away from home dating back to the 2022 Showcase Cup and lost for just the second time in its last 14 games overall.

Memphis will return home following its 3-1 road trip for a back-to-back set with the Santa Cruz Warriors at Landers Center on Tuesday, Jan. 17, and Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Single-game tickets for Hustle regular season games are on sale now. Tickets start as low as $14 and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com/Memphis-Hustle-Tickets or by calling (901) 888-HOOP. In addition, all-inclusive floor seats and tables are 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.