Hustle start 2024 with win over the Iowa Wolves.

The Memphis Hustle are undefeated in 2024, everyone; this is not a drill. The Hustle have not lost a game since 2023, and they have no signs of turning back, trust me. The Hustle snapped into action to kick off the new year with a win over the Iowa Wolves to advance to 1-1 on the season, and let me say, I think this is the best game the team has played since action kicked off in November. A very strong and impressive outing from the Hustle squad kicks off the year, with more to hopefully follow.

Memphis came into the Monday afternoon matchup 0-1 in regular season play after a tough defeat at the hands of the Indiana Mad Ants and were looking to even up score to move to.500, and so they did. A very, very solid game from the Hustle squad today, with amazing contributions from everyone, including Jake LaRavia, G.G. Jackson, Matthew Hurt, and Jacob Gilyard, especially.

The squad won the battle on the glass; they had more assists, fewer turnovers, and most importantly, they had more points. The entire starting lineup (minus Jason Preston) was also at least +20 in (+/-) on the evening, which is absolutely amazing in terms of efficiency as well.

LaRavia had 28 points on 50% shooting (including 4-8 from deep) to go along with 4 assists and boards.

G.G. was nothing short of “Good Game” Jackson with 20 points on 70% from the floor to go with 3 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block.

Matthew Hurt brought the pain with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 blocks.

Jacob Gilyard provided an insanely impressive 20-point, 16-assist double-double with only 2 turnovers on the evening.

You’re not going to lose very many games when you get guys to play on that level with that kind of efficiency.

Something that was very nice to see in the Monday matchup was resilience, something the Hustle have struggled with this far into the season. I have harped about issues this squad has had with either opening or closing games, and tonight they managed to bond together for a very impressive win with the odds against them late into the fourth.

The Hustle started the fourth period by falling into a 12-point slump after the Wolves jumped out to a quick 6-0 run, a situation where the odds are typically against them, and ultimately won the game by playing some of the best team basketball I have ever seen them play. LaRavia, Hurt, Jackson, and Gilyard were an absolute unit in the fourth, with big shot after big shot, great defensive stops, and excellent rebounding through the wire. The guys took turns hitting clutch shots down the wire like it was a halftime shoot-around with no flinch of fear at any moment, and Jacob Gilyard did an especially excellent job hitting big shots, facilitating, and finding the right guys at the right moments to help charge this much-needed fourth quarter comeback under their belts.

The Hustle resume action on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024, as the Iowa Wolves will look to seek revenge, but unfortunately, it’ll be a tall task for them as Memphis is undefeated in the year 2024. Okay, I am done with the 2024 jokes now. The game will be live at 7:00 p.m. but will not be available for streaming on the NBA G League website.

New year, new Hustle.