DAISHEN NIX

Only two of the past four NBA G League seasons have been under what could be considered “normal” circumstances. However, 2019 and this year were “normal.” And both years ended the same way: with the RGV Vipers being crowned G League champions. League MVP Trevelin Queen started slow then found his mark often, finishing the game with 24 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Queen averaged 34 points per game during the finals and was named the NBA G League Finals MVP. However, the Vipers still led the league in overall rebounding, offensive rebounding and scoring — maybe not bigger, but arguably stronger and faster, thus the fourth trophy bearing the RGV name.

That was no different Tuesday during the Vipers’ 145-128 victory over the Delaware Blue Coats in Game 1 of the NBA G League championship series. Kabengele blocked a G League championship-record eight shots, and changed the trajectory of many others. Delaware pulled down just 51 rebounds and were outrebounded on the offensive glass 25-19. 1 in theleague in offensive rebounds and they’re last in defensive rebounds, so we had to dominate the glass. We just keep out foot on thegas.”The Vipers are making their league-leading sixth appearance in the G League finals.

EDINBURG — During a matchup that was as much a track meet as it was a basketball game, the RGV Vipers never slowed down offensively or defensively and are now one win away from capturing another NBA G League title. The teams came into the game as the top-two scoring teams in the G League, the only two teams to average more than 120 points per game, and they put that offensive prowess on display. And Mfiondu Kabengele contributed 19 points, 14 rebounds and a G League-championship record eight blocked shots. In the end, however, it was a relentless defense during the fourth quarter and an overpowering performance rebounding the ball throughout the contest that put the Vipers one game away from a G League-best fourth championship. RGV, the top overall rebounding and offensive rebounding team in the G League, methodically continued to crash the boards and held a 39-25 advantage overall and 15-11 on the offensive glass.

Before he came here, Daishen Nix was a consensus five-star recruit in high school and considered one of the best point guards in the Class of 2020 while playing at Trinity National School in Las Vegas.

Before he came here, Daishen Nix was a consensus five-star recruit in high school and considered one of the best point guards in the Class of 2020 while playing at Trinity National School in Las Vegas.

It was the fourth straight win for the streaking hot Vipers, and third consecutive lop-sided victory. It was the third straight game the Vipers scored 130 or more points. All 10 Vipers who played scored. Christian Vital scored a career-high 30 points for the Vipers. Tucker averaged 3.9 points and 3.0 rebounds in nine games with the Windy City Bulls from 2021-22.

A tight game throughout, there were 17 lead changes and 13 ties. Trevlin Queen scored 31 points and Daishen Nix added 29 points to lead the Vipers. Six different Vipers scored in double figures. Following Queen and Nix were Trhae Mitchell with 13, Anthony Lamb and Marcus Foster with 11 and Usman Garuba with 10. Kaleb Johnson added 23 points and Joshua Primo contributed 21 points, five steals and five assists.

Terry Rozier scored 27 points and made seven 3-pointers, and the Charlotte Hornets routed the Houston Rockets 123-99 for their second straight win.