Game Preview: Skyforce vs Clippers

Last Meeting: L, 127-125 (OT) on 3/8/24 in El Segundo, CA
Live Stream: ESPN+
All-Time Record: 11-18
Streak: L1

After a little more than a week off, the Sioux Falls Skyforce returns to play for the home stretch of the regular season at a critical point. The team plays the next five games on the road, with the next four out West in the Los Angeles area for two against the South Bay Lakers and Ontario Clippers. 

Coming into the contest, the Skyforce sits atop the Western Conference, with a 1.5 game cushion on the Stockton Kings and winners of five of their last seven outings.

Despite reeling off three wins  in a four-game, six-day stretch, the Force dropped their final game heading to all-star break 136-129 on Feb. 14 against the Texas Legends. Josh Christopher had a game-high 29 points on 11-22 FGA, six rebounds and five assists. Caleb Daniels secured a career-high 28 points, while Justin Champagnie (27 points and 10 rebounds), Jamaree Bouyea (18 points and 10 assists) and Malik Williams (16 points and 17 rebounds) posted double doubles. 

Sioux Falls turns its attention to the South Bay Lakers, who currently own the sixth seed in the West and are just 3.5 games back of the Force. 

South Bay comes into the contest with losses in its last three games, but extremely balanced, as six G League rostered players average 12+ points per game. The teams split a two-game series last season in which both games were decided by two points. 

Stockton  edged them 106-101 on Feb. 14, as Bryce Hamilton led the way with 23 points off the bench in the final pre-all-star game. 

The Skyforce travels northeast LA to face the Ontario Clippers (9-11) on Sunday at 3:00 PM CST, followed by a rematch with South Bay on Tuesday at 9:00 PM CST. 

POP THE CHAMPAGNIE

· Justin Champagnie earned the organization's 104th NBA Call-Up via a 10-day contract with the Washington Wizards. He became the team's fourth NBA Call-Up of the season, which marks a tie with the Westchester Knicks for first place. 

 · In 34 games for Sioux Falls this season, Champagnie has averaged 22.3 points on 49.4 FG%, 8.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per 37.6 minutes a game. 

MALIK'S MASSIVE MINUTES

· Williams has had 17+ rebound double doubles in three of his last four games, as he produced 16 points, 18 rebounds and a career-high seven assists against Texas.

· He's averaging 15.8 rebounds per game in the last four, which is good for first in the NBA G League, and 13.4 points during that stretch, as well. 

· Williams has grabbed 179 rebounds so far during the regular season, good for fourth in the league and the Force is 7-1 when he has double digit rebounds. 

DANIELS DOES IT

· After averaging just 7.7 points per game in January, Caleb Daniels has seen an uptick in performance. He's averaging 15.6 points on 55.3 FG% this month  (51.2 3P%) and 40.0  rebounds per game. He has had 19+ points in four-of-seven outings in February.

· He posted back-to-back career highs at Oklahoma City and Texas (26 and 28 points).