Miami Heat: Javonte Smart Leads Skyforce To Third Win Of Season

The Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Miami Heat’s G-League affiliate, went head-to-head against the first-seeded Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario, the Los Angeles Clippers NBA G-League affiliate, on Thursday night at the Sanford Pentagon.

Ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Clippers, the Skyforce were on an eight-game losing streak following a loss against the Austin Spurs, 119-97, on January 27.

Javonte Smart lead the Skyforce with 36 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, making six three-pointers from behind the arc. Smart tied his career-high in points.

DJ Stewart finished with 22 points, four assists, and four rebounds for the Skyforce.

The Skyforce led the game throughout the first three quarters but the Clippers were able to cut the lead to 105-99 after a 16-4 run at the 5:29 mark of the fourth quarter. However, the Skyforce were able to hold on for the victory in the final minutes of the game.

Chandler Hutchison made his debut for the Skyforce on Thursday night and finished with 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists. The former Bulls forward/guard was acquired by the Skyforce on the available player pool after Dru Smith was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The Miami Heat’s Javonte Smart led the Sioux Falls Skyforce to their third season win. He came up big with 36 points, eight boards, and five dimes.

The former 22nd pick of the 2018 NBA Draft was averaging 5.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game while shooting 50 percent from the field in the six games played as a two-way player for the Phoenix Suns before being waived last month.

Meanwhile, Nate Darling led the Clippers with 30 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists on 41 percent shooting from the field and 47 percent from behind the arc. George King finished the game with 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists.

The game ended with six players in double-figures scoring for the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Joining Stewart, Hutchison, and Smart with double-digit points was former Miami Heat veteran guard, Mario Chalmers, who finished with 13 points, three rebounds, and four assists.

Sam Thompson, who also made his debut for the Skyforce, finished with 11 points and three assists while Micah Potter ended with another double-double, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds

After the win against the Clippers, the Skyforce improve their record with three wins and nine losses this season. Meanwhile, the Clippers drop to second with seven wins and four losses.

The Skyforce will be back at the Sanford Pentagon to face the Birmingham Squadron, the New Orleans Pelicans’ G-League affiliate on Sunday, February 6 at 4 PM Eastern Time.