Game Preview: at Warriors

Last Meeting: W, 129-110 on 1/13/23 in Santa Cruz, CA

Live Stream: ESPN+

All-Time Record: 7-9

Streak: W1

The Sioux Falls Skyforce finished the Showcase Cup with an 8-8 record and eyes on making consecutive NBA G League Playoff appearances for the first time since 2014-16. 

The quest starts tonight, in Santa Cruz, as Sioux Falls makes back-to-back appearances in the Golden State to face the Warriors. 

In the team's last meeting, the Skyforce erased a 21-point deficit to comeback and defeat the Sea Dubs 129-110 behind 41 points from DJ Stewart, while Mychal Mulder added 21 points on 7-12 FGA, as they split the back-to-back against Santa Cruz. 

During the Showcase Cup, Santa Cruz had one of the best offenses in the entire NBA G League, as they ranked fourth in scoring (119.7), third in rebounding (50.7) and third in assists (27.3) per game. 

They went on winning streaks of five and four games, which helped the team make the Showcase Cup Tournament, as they were defeated 127-114 by the champion Westchester Knicks in the semifinals. 

Golden State two-way player Lester Quinones leads the team with 23.6 points on 41.3 percent shooting, 6.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists. The Sea Dubs were 6-3 in the Showcase Cup when Quinones secured 18+ points. 

Out-rebounding and being efficient with the basketball will be crucial for the Skyforce, as the team was 7-2 when they out-rebounded the opponents and 5-2 when they had 25+ assists. Sioux Falls was also 5-2 when they had under 19 turnovers. 

Both teams meet again on Friday, with tip-off slated at 9:00 PM CST from Kaiser Permanente Arena. 

SEASIDE'S FINEST RETURNS

· Jamaree Bouyea makes his second return back home to face the Santa Cruz Warriors as a professional. 
· The Seaside, CA native (just 28 miles from Santa Cruz) played five seasons for the San Francisco Dons and helped them return to the 2022 NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998.
· Bouyea earned All-NBA G League Rookie Team and All-NBA G League Second Team for his efforts last season with Sioux Falls. 
· Since the beginning of his professional career (2022-23 season), Bouyea has a league leading four NBA Call-Ups. 

DYNAMIC DUO

· Justin Champagnie and Alondes Williams shined at the 2023 NBA G League Winter Showcase. 
· The two combined for 84 points on 31-55 FGA (56.4 FG%), 12-25 3PA (48 3P%), 23 rebounds, 13 assists and eight steals. 

GET OFF TO A GREAT START

· A victory tonight would mark the first regular season victory to start the season since 11/8/19 and first in the Kasib Powell era. 

· The team has started the regular season on the road in three of the last four seasons. (They were supposed to start on the road in 2021-22, but due to league cancellations, they hosted).