Jalen Green notched a career-high 24 points but Ignite fell to Salt Lake City in the 2021 G League season, 107-87, Saturday morning (Manila time) at AdventHealth Arena.
Green was one of only three Ignite players in double figures, shooting an efficient 8-15, including two three-pointers, with five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
In his first start for Ignite, Jessie Govan chocked up 13 points, a first-half game-high, with three rebounds. It wasn’t enough to help Ignite withstand nine three-pointers from the Stars, which shot 9-of-19 from downtown and 55.3 percent overall in the first half. Salt Lake City led by as many as 20 points in the first half, outscoring Ignite 42-27 in the second quarter, to lead 65-47 at halftime.
Ignite held Salt Lake City to 16 points in the third quarter, tied for the fewest by an opponent this year, to trim the lead to 81-68 entering the final 12 minutes. The team connected on just five of 15 field goal attempts in the fourth quarter to suffer the defeat. Green scored 14 of Ignite’s 40 second-half points.
Jonathan Kuminga nearly added his third double-double of the season on 10 points and nine rebounds, and Govan scored 13 points before missing the second half with an injury.
Tyler Bey led the Stars with 17 points and eight rebounds.
Salt Lake City tallied 13 three-pointers, including four apiece by Malcolm Miller and Malik Benlevi, who each finished with 16 points.
Ignite’s back-to-back continues against Canton on Sunday.
