Vipers split games against Hustle ahead of playoffs

EDINBURG — The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (23-13) split two games this past week against the Memphis Hustle (11-25) as they finished their regular season schedule ahead of the G-League Playoffs.

The home squad got the best of the Hustle as they were able to gain the win 121-107 behind Daishen Nix’s 33 points and John Knight III’s double-double — his first of the season.

Orlando Robinson had himself a career night as he finished with 49 points off of 18-23 shooting.

In Saturday’s grudge match, the Hustle bested the Vipers by the score of 120-118. Charlie Brown Jr. — who didn’t play in Thursday’s game — had 32 points. In addition, Robinson garnered a double-double with 30 points of his own, along with 11 rebounds. 

For the Vipers, Nix led the offensive effort once again with 33 points. He also had help from guard Tristen Newton who raked up 30 points.

The Playoffs
Although the regular season is over, the postseason is set to begin this week as the Vipers will host the Austin Spurs (23-13) in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

As previously reported by The Advance, this is the team’s 10th straight playoff appearance. They clinched the fourth seed earlier in the season back in mid-March. The Spurs will operate as the fifth seed. The Vipers were 1-3 this season against Austin.

The home squad, who has been running games with a short staff recently signed UTRGV alum Justin Johnson and Jermaine Couisnard to the roster.