The Western Conference roadshow continued for the Memphis Hustle as they took on the South Bay Lakers for the first time this season on Thursday night. The Lakers came into the matchup as losers in three of their last four games and took on a shorthanded Hustle team desperately clawing for playoff positioning before they ultimately came on top in a tight fourth quarter. The Hustle were short in this one and ultimately came up short on the scoreboard as a result.
The Lakers, who are the former team of Hustle two-way guard Scotty Pippen Jr., jumped up to a quick lead in this game and established control early before the Hustle teased a comeback going into the end of the first half. The Lakers maintained pace throughout the second half and took full advantage of Memphis’s struggles with depth, despite nearly blowing their double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, and left the match victorious. Jalen Hood-Schifino was on a tear in this one and was virtually unstoppable on the offensive end, notching 26 points, four rebounds, and six assists on 9-16 shooting from the field, which helped the Lakers coast to the W in South Bay. Skylar Mays also poured in 25 points off the bench while shooting 5-6 from beyond the arc.
The Hustle still remain unable to develop any real traction due to the injuries, call-ups, trades, signings, and releases they’ve had this year. It’s been a wild season for Memphis, which continues to not let up. Another thing that refuses to let up is Deeky Jarreau, who went off for nearly another triple-double in this one with 30 points, 11 boards, and nine assists. Michael Devoe also added 23 points, while Davon Reed put in 27 of his own, giving the Hustle all the scoring input they could while being shorthanded. This loss takes the Hustle down to 12-14 this season with a chance at redemption versus this same Lakers team on Saturday evening.
The Hustle will once again be live from South Bay on Saturday night as they look to strike closer to the .500 mark on the season. The tip will be live at 7:30 p.m. CDT.
The game will be available for viewing on Tubi.
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(Photo credits @MemphisHustle on Instagram)