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SQUADRON SET TO PLAY GO-GO AND GOLD IN 2021 NBA G LEAGUE WINTER SHOWCASE

By Birmingham Squadron Staff /December 18, 2021

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (December 18, 2021) – The Birmingham Squadron, NBA G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans, have their matchups set for the 2021 NBA G League Winter Showcase in Las Vegas. Birmingham will face the Capital City Go-Go (G League affiliate of the Washington Wizards) on Sunday, December 19th at 5:00 p.m. PT/7:00 p.m. CT and then the Grand Rapids Gold (G League affiliate of the Denver Nuggets) on Monday, December 20th at 3:00 p.m. PT/5:00 p.m. CT.

The Squadron’s game against the Go-Go will air live on NBAGLeague.com, and the game against the Gold will air live on ESPN News.

As previously announced, the 2021-22 NBA G League season would be split into two parts. First, teams would play 12 games in four regional pods to determine which eight teams would play in the Showcase Cup. The top team in each pod along with the next four teams with the best win percentage will play in the Showcase Cup in Las Vegas for a cash prize.

Though Birmingham just missed qualifying for the Showcase Cup, the team is still traveling to Las Vegas to play two games in the 2021 NBA G League Winter Showcase, an annual opportunity for all of the teams to come together in one location to play in front of scouts from all over the NBA.

The Winter Showcase also gives Birmingham the opportunity to face two teams that are not on their regular season schedule – the Capital City Go-Go and the Grand Rapids Gold.

Capital City (6-6) is highlighted by guard Cassius Winston out of Michigan State, has played in 24 NBA games with the Wizards as well as spending last season with the Erie Bayhawks under current Squadron Head Coach Ryan Pannone. Winston is averaging 16.1 points and 4.6 assists this season.

Grand Rapids (5-6) is headlined by NBA veteran forward Lance Stephenson. Stephenson played nine seasons in the NBA with the Pacers, Hornets, Clippers, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Timberwolves and Lakers. This season in the G League, Stephenson is averaging 19.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

After the Winter Showcase ends on December 22, the entire G League will reset and every team will have a record of 0-0 again. Every team will then begin a 36-game regular season, leading into the G League Playoffs in April 2022.

The Squadron will begin their 36-game regular season on the road on December 28th, facing the South Bay Lakers, Salt Lake City Stars and Stockton Kings before returning home to play the Iowa Wolves in Legacy Arena on Saturday, January 7, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. CT.

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