BIRMINGHAM SQUADRON BOUNCE BACK WITH OVERTIME WIN OVER KINGS

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Birmingham Squadron, NBA G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans, knocked off the Stockton Kings, 127-119, to even the season series on Sunday afternoon.

After a 7-0 start, Birmingham (11-19) put together their best offensive start to a first quarter of the regular season, scoring 34 points in the opening 12 minutes. Two-way center Hunter Dickinson led the Squadron with 11 points, but Stockton (17-9) produced a hot offensive start of their own with 32 points, making it a tight two-point contest heading into the second quarter.

The back-and-forth play continued in the second period, with the game tied at 48 a piece with 6:13 remaining in the first half. Birmingham then went on a 10-0 run in just over a minute to grab their largest lead of the afternoon and maintained their advantage into the break, 72-62. Two-way guard Trey Alexander provided the spark with 16 points—tying his season-high for most points in a quarter—while shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range in the period.

The Kings cut the deficit to four after four minutes of play in the second half, but the Squadron responded with a 12-0 surge to grab a 16-point cushion with 4:33 remaining in the third quarter. All five Birmingham starters reached double-digit point totals by the third quarter as the visitors headed into the final period with a 103-89 advantage.

The Squadron led by as many as 12 with 4:30 remaining in regulation, but the Kings closed the fourth quarter on a 15-3 run to tie the game at 119 and force overtime. In a first-to-seven period, Johnny O’Neil’s three and Trey Alexander’s jumper put Birmingham within two of the win. After another stop, D.J. Carton drained a clutch three from the wing to give the Squadron a 127-119 victory.

Trey Alexander led the Squadron in scoring for the 16^th time this season, finishing with 32 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. 

D.J. Carton recorded his third double-double of the season with 28 points and 11 assists. He also grabbed seven rebounds, in addition to his game-winning three.

Hunter Dickinson tallied his 21^st double-double of the year with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

The Squadron will travel east to Grand Rapids to face the Gold on Wednesday, March 11, at 6 p.m. CT. The final road game before returning to Birmingham will be available on ESPN+ and My68.

For more information on the Birmingham Squadron, please visit BirminghamSquadron.com or follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.