Game Preview: vs Warriors

Last Meeting: W, 123-112 on 12/29/23 in Santa Cruz, CA

Live Stream: Fan Duel Sports Network Sun, Midco Sports, NBAGLeague.com

All-Time Record: 9-9

Streak: W3

The Sioux Falls Skyforce returns home for the first set of home games in almost a month, as the Santa Cruz Warriors come to the Sanford Pentagon for the first time since Feb. 7, 2020. 

The Skyforce is 6-1 in the seven-straight games played away from Sioux Falls, with the latter being a sweep of the Valley Suns. Sioux Falls defeated Valley 114-103 on Tuesday evening.

Zyon Pullin led Sioux Falls (2-0) with 26 points on 7-15 FGA, eight rebounds and 10 assists in his second-straight game of 26-plus points, eight-plus rebounds and 10-plus assists. Nassir Little posted 27 points on 8-13 FGA (3-5 3PA) and nine rebounds, which marked his second game of 27-plus points on 50-plus percent shooting from deep and eight-plus rebounds in his last three games.

Bryson Warren posted 18 points on 7-15 FGA (4-9 3PA), while Caleb Daniels added 16 points on 5-8 FGA and eight rebounds off the bench. HEAT assignee Keshad Johnson had 13 points, 14 rebounds and a game-high plus-21 plus-minus.

Santa Cruz comes into the contest on a three-game winning streak, sweeping the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to open the regular season. They defefated the Vipers 106-103 in the series finale on Dec. 28, as Javan Johnson went for a game-high 27 points on 9-12 FGA, five rebounds and three blocks. Johnson reached the 20+ point milestone just once in the Tip-Off Tournament, but has had 27+ points in back-to-back regular season games. 

Former NBA first round pick Kevin Knox II led the Warriors in scoring during the Tip-Off Tournament, as he posted back-to-back games of 24+ points against the Vipers. The Warriors were 2-7 during tourney play when Knox shot 15+ times. 

Sioux Falls hosts the San Diego Clippers on Saturday, before embarking on a six-day, three-game New York roadtrip next week. 

FIRST QUARTER FRENZY

· Through 19 games so far this season, the Skyforce is averaging 30.1 points per game (third in NBAGL)  in the opening quarter on 48.4 FG% (first in NBAGL) and  38.6 3P% (sixth in NBAGL), with a combined +80 +/- (first in NBAGL). SXF is 12-2 when leading after the 1Q.

· The Force has scored 35+ points on over 50 percent shooting from deep  in the first 12 minutes of their last three games. 

· Three of their next five games will be against the top-two first quarter scoring offenses (Westchester at 30.6, San Diego at 30.2).

BACK-TO-BACKIN'

· Sioux Falls is 7-1 in back-to-back games so far this season, with the lone loss in the championship of the Tip-Off Tournament.  

· In back-to-backs, the Force is averaging 115.1 points, while giving up 103.7 points and has a +91 +/-. SXF has held opponents to under 102 points in five-of-eight games and 100-or-less in three-of-eight games. 

After this weekend, the Skyforce will have played six consecutive back-to-back games.

PULLIN'S PROWESS

· Zyon Pullin posted the second triple-double of the 2024-25 NBA G League season on Monday night, which marked career-high's in points, rebounds, assists, FG makes and +/-.

· It marked the highest scoring triple-double in Skyforce history and fourth highest in NBA G League history, as well.It was the 30th triple-double in Sioux Falls' franchise history and Pullin became the 18th player to accomplish such feat. 

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

· Sioux Falls' 10 road or neutral site wins is good for first in the NBA G League. They also rank first in road +/- with +11.2. 

ZAY DAY

· Isaiah Stevens earned the 107th NBA Call-Up in Skyforce history (69th player) on Dec. 26.  

· Stevens broke the NBA G League record for assists during the Tip-Off Tournament (and timeframe before), with 184. 

· He's averaged 13.3 points and a league-high 10.8 assists, with nine double doubles in 13 Tip-Off Tournament games for the Force.