VIPERS STRIKE GOLD IN VICTORY OVER GRAND RAPIDS

The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (6-1), the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, obtained a 131-95 victory against the Grand Rapids Gold (5-3) on Friday night at Bert Ogden Arena. 

The first five minutes of the game began with a 9-2 run with the Vipers paving the way. As the quarter continued RGV extended its lead and ended the quarter with a 24-18 advantage. 

RGV began the quarter with a six-point lead, but that quickly changed as Grand Rapids came from behind and took a 40-30 lead. With less than five minutes to go in the quarter the game had multiple lead changes, but in the end the Vipers pulled away with a 57-50 lead. 

The third and fourth quarters were big ones for the Vipers as the team outscored the opposing team 74-45 which earned the Vipers a 131-95 victory. 

Houston Rockets Two-Way Jermaine Samuels Jr. led all scorers with a double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Darius Days also had a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Also with 23 points was Houston Rockets Two-Way Nate Williams Jr.. Jarret Culver and Ray Spalding contributed 16 and 10 points, respectively, from off the bench.

Grand Rapids was led by Denver Nuggets assignee Hunter Tyson with a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Denver Nuggets assignee Jalen Pickett finished with 18 points. Au’Diese Toney scored 13 points. Both Jamorko Pickett and Souley Boum contributed 12 points each from off the bench. 

The Vipers will travel to Frisco to take on the Texas Legends in back-to-back matchups on Friday, Jan. 19 and Saturday, Jan. 20 at Comerica Center. Both games have a tip-off time of 7:30p.m. CST and may be streamed via www.NBAGLeague.com. For more information visit www.rgvipers.com

About the RGV Vipers and NBA G League

The four-time champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers are the NBA G League affiliate of the NBA Houston Rockets. The Vipers won the NBA G League Championship in 2010, 2013, 2019 and 2022. In 2013, the Vipers were also named the NBA G League Development Champions, which recognized the team that best embodies the NBA G League’s goals of developing NBA-caliber basketball talent via call-ups and assignments. The NBA’s official minor league, the NBA G League prepares players, coaches, officials, training and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 31 teams, 29 with direct affiliations to NBA franchises for 2023-24, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. 55 percent of all players on end-of-season 2022-23 NBA rosters boasted NBA G League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA Cares programs.