Skyforce Playoff Preview

Sioux Falls finished the regular season as the #2 seed in the Western Conference with an overall record of 22-12, winning four of the last six thanks to some big-time performances both at home and on the road.

In the final road game of the regular season, the Force took on the Memphis Hustle. Force guard Josh Christopher posted a career-high 40 points in a 121-107 win that also saw Orlando Robinson go for 25 points and 12 rebounds, and Olin Carter III go for 22 points on four made three-pointers in the victory.

Skyforce then returned home to the Sanford Pentagon for a two-game weekend series with the Cleveland Charge.

In game one Sioux Falls brought a well-rounded attack, seeing 67 combined points from Olin Carter III, Josh Christopher and Malik Williams. OC3 leading the way with 23 points on 6-11 three-point shooting.

OC3 was sent to Sioux Falls from Cleveland in a trade on February 2^nd and it’s safe to say Carter was looking forward to the matchup.

“When I came here, I definitely had that game circled on the schedule. You know just wanting to play good against my former team and those guys I’d been grinding with before. I wanted to make sure we got those two dubs.”

The following night in game two against Cleveland, after a masterful 45-point performance from Alondes “ManMan” Williams, the Force still found themselves down one with nine seconds remaining.

The ball ended up in the hands of OC3 who buried a dagger three from the corner to win the game.

“I just told them ‘I do this, this is what I do.’” - Olin Carter III

After sweeping Cleveland, Sioux Falls was tied atop the Western Conference with the Stockton Kings, who were coming to town for a two-game series.

With the one seed on the line, the matchup was primed for a playoff atmosphere.

“Definitely a playoff type atmosphere,” said Olin Carter III. “These games are the most meaningful games we’ll play in the G League outside of the showcase. Just got to make sure you come in locked-in, especially against an experienced team like Stockton. You have to be super sharp because they got nothing but NBA experience over there.”

The Kings took game one, led by NBA veteran Stanley Johnson who scored 32 points in the 125-117 victory. Skyforce were led by HEAT two-way Cole Swider who shot an incredible 8-11 from three, scoring 33 points and collecting 11 rebounds in the effort.

“They tell me to shoot the ball every time I touch it,” said Swider “so I’m trying to get open looks, trying to take the right shots, but at the same time when the rim feels big like that you want to do whatever it takes to win the game. I thought our best offense was with me involved and getting other guys involved as well through me setting a screen or shooting the basketball or getting into action. Just trying to win the game and obviously shooting the basketball like that helps towards winning.”

In any sport, especially basketball, the playoffs always bring out another level of energy not only from the players and coaches, but fans as well, to create an electric atmosphere. While this two-game series against Stockton wasn’t a playoff series, the stakes of the one seed on the line certainly created a similar effect.

Head coach Kasib Powell acknowledges the privilege of playing such meaningful basketball before the playoffs. “You definitely feel it, you feel the atmosphere. Just the practices, the film sessions, the sense of urgency is heightened. I think we’re at an advantage playing two games that mean a lot and treat them like playoff games to get that playoff feel.”

Skyforce fell to Stockton in the final game of the regular season behind another impressive performance from Stanley Johnson and Kings guard Jaylen Nowell who combined for 45 points.

“Stockton is a really good team, hopefully we play them in the playoffs. Definitely an up in physicality and we have to be able to handle that.” – Cole Swider

Sioux Falls earned the #2 seed in the Western Conference which means they have earned a first round bye and home court advantage in at least the Conference semifinal and perhaps beyond.

Skyforce has been one of the G League's best at home all season and will look to use their advantage to its fullest.

“Playing on the road in this league, or in any league, is very hard and coming to Sioux Falls is no different for other teams and we think we can capitalize with a great crowd and great energy. The city has been great with following and supporting us. We look forward to having that home court advantage and trying to take advantage of it.” – Kasib Powell

Force players Cole Swider and Olin Carter III each echoed their head coach’s message, reiterating how important playing inside the Pentagon is.

“In the G League you’re doing commercial flights, you’re not in your own bed and all those things, when you’re home you don’t have to deal with the flights, the travel or any of the extra things going on so as many distractions as you can limit you want to do that.” – Cole Swider

“Oh, it’s big time. You know you only get one game so you want every advantage you can get. Even from the sheer fact of being able to sleep in your own bed at night, I think that’s an advantage.” – Olin Carter III

The #2 seed provides Skyforce with a first-round bye in the NBA G League Playoffs presented by Google Pixel. Sioux Falls will play the winner of the Oklahoma City Blue (21-13, third seed) and Rio Grande Valley Vipers (20-14, sixth seed), who play on April 2nd (9:00 PM CST).

Tip-off for the Western Conference semifinal will be on April 5^th at 8 PM CST in the Sanford Pentagon.

Tickets for Friday’s game will be priced at $5, $10, and $15, depending on the section. They are available starting Monday at 10AM at THIS LINK. Tickets are also available on ticketmaster.com or at the Skyforce business office (2131 S. Minnesota Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57105).