The Skyforce return home after a 0-2 swing with the Iowa Wolves, where they held double-digit leads in both games.
Sioux Falls is looking to build off some positives in the opening series with the Wolves. The squad has had an even distribution of scoring so far, as both games featured double-figure scoring from five-or-more Force players.
With the entrance of Micah Potter to the lineup on Monday, the Sioux Falls rebounding improved dramatically, a bump of 19 from the opening game. Potter did a little bit of everything, scoring 20 points on 8-16 shooting (2-3 from deep), and added 12 rebounds and four assists. He posted two double doubles to finish the preseason with the HEAT, as well, before joining Sioux Falls.
Big man Micah Potter showing off with a double-double to start off the season 💯 pic.twitter.com/BHAROKeRvw
— Sioux Falls Skyforce (@SFSkyforce) November 9, 2021
The emergence of Trey Mourning off the bench will prove to be vital for the Skyforce moving forward. He posted a career-high 25 points on 9-9 shooting and added nine rebounds in just 18:05 minutes of work on Monday.
like father, like son 💪
Trey Mourning went off for a career-high 25 points on 9-9 fg in only 18 minutes for the @SFSkyforce last night pic.twitter.com/esULXS5eZr
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) November 9, 2021
The series proves to be an important one for Sioux Falls, as after the finale on Saturday, the team won’t play for two weeks.
The Grand Rapids Gold, previously the Drive, have a new affiliate starting this year in the Denver Nuggets. They previously served as the affiliate for the Detroit Pistons from 2014-2020. It is also the first single affiliate for the Nuggets in organization history. The series marks the first time both squads will meet under their new affiliation.
GRAND RAPIDS GOLD!
Proud to announce our new name and share our new logo. Creating this new identity has been an exciting, collaborative process with the @nuggets and @NBA and we’re excited to share it with you, Grand Rapids! #elevateGR pic.twitter.com/6AqlNMsjLp
— Grand Rapids Gold (@NBAGrandRapids) July 7, 2021
Two of the Skyforce’s 31 assignment players in franchise history come from the Denver Nuggets, as Malik Beasley (six times) and Juancho Hernangomez were sent to Sioux Falls in 2016-17.
The contest tonight also marks the first time both organizations will play since March 1, 2019, in which Grand Rapids defeated Sioux Falls 107-91 at the Sanford Pentagon.
The two-game series will be the first for Grand Rapids for the 2021-22 season.
The Gold feature nine-year NBA veteran Lance Stephenson, who was drafted the first round of the 2021 G League Draft. They also boast former Skyforce standout Davon Reed. He started in 40 games for the Force in 2019-20, averaging 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 33.5 minutes per game. Denver Nuggets two-way player Pter Cornelie is on the Gold roster, as well.
WHAT: Skyforce vs. Grand Rapids Gold
WHEN: 6:30 PM CST, November 11; 7:00 PM CST, November 13
WHERE: Sanford Pentagon
WATCH: ESPN+
TICKETS: THURSDAY + SATURDAY