RGV Vipers’ season comes to an end

The Rio Grande Valley Vipers lost in the second round of the NBA G League Playoffs on Friday. The game, which is the part of the Western Conf e r enc e semifinals, had the Vipers face the South Bay Lakers.

The Lakers took the game, 112-97.

It was an away game for the Vipers as they played at the UCLA Health Training Center.

The beginning of the game looked pretty good for the Vipers as they stayed toe-totoe in the first half — more notably in the first quarter.

However, Dalton Knecht made the game difficult for the Vipers as he put up 24 points in the game, with the first 22 coming in the first half. He also earned himself a double-double with 13 rebounds.

The Vipers not only struggled containing Knecht, but they couldn’t contain Drew Timme — who had 26 points on the night.

Statwise, the Vipers looked to be completely off as they shot 40% compared to the Lakers’ 56%. In addition, they got outrebounded and only shot 19% from the three-point line.

The Lakers kept a consistent offensive effort as they had five players in double digits for points. As for the Vipers, they had four — while being led by Daishen Nix’s 35-point performance with a double-double of his own with 10 rebounds.

In the second half — contrary to the first round game against Austin — the Vipers held their own and brought the score to within three at one point.

However, the Lakers responded with great defensive plays and some fastbreak buckets to build the lead again.

This season would make it three times that the Vipers and Lakers faced each other.

The Vipers won the season series 2-0, but this defeat gave them one in the “loss column.”

On Sunday, the Lakers lost to the Stockton Kings in the Western Conference Finals.