SQUADRON CONCLUDES INAUGURAL SEASON WITH LOSS IN WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 5, 2022) – The Birmingham Squadron (18-15), NBA G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans, fell to the visiting Texas Legends (20-15) 115-100 in Western Conference Quarterfinals NBA G league playoffs.

Finishing their inaugural season at home in the Legacy Arena, the matchup between the Squadron and Legends consisted of nine lead changes and seven ties. The teams were matching one another until fourth quarter when the Legends took their final lead that would get up to as many as 21.

Birmingham guard Jared Harper led the team in scoring for the 19th time during the 2021-22 season, scoring 28 points –making it his 24th game this season with 20+ points. Harper also added three rebounds and three assists in the game.

The duo of forward Zylan Cheatham and center Zach Hankins notched double-doubles on the night. Cheatham recorded 16 points and 9 rebounds, and Hankins posted 13 points and 12 rebounds. This marked Cheatham’s 19th double-double of the 2021-22 season, and Hankins’s eighth double-double and 24th game scoring in double digits. Cheatham also had four assists on the night while Hankins had five on the night, tying his season high.

In addition to his five assists and one rebound tonight, guard Joe Young notched 16 points of his own on the night, his 40th game this season scoring 10+ points – the most on the team.

The Texas Legends were led in scoring tonight by forward Justin Jackson with 24 points. He also posted three rebounds and five assists. Guard Carlik Jones came in second scoring 22 points, and he added eight rebounds and nine assists on the night.

The Texas Legends will move on to the Western Conference Semifinals against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Thursday, April 7 at 8 p.m.

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