TEMPE, Ariz. — The Coachella Valley Lakers scored 30 consecutive points across the second and third quarters to erase a 20-point deficit and beat the Valley Suns 108-99 on Thursday night at Mullett Arena. Jahmir Young scored a game-high 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the Lakers improved to 3-1 in NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament play.
Coachella Valley led 29-26 after the first quarter, but Valley took control in the second, putting up 35 points in the period. The Suns led 61-41 with 1:19 left in the half before the Lakers scored 13 straight points to make it 61-54 at the break. Coachella Valley then opened the third with 17 more unanswered points, turning a 20-point deficit into a 71-61 lead before the Suns scored again.
The Lakers outscored the Suns 31-9 in the third quarter and took an 85-70 lead into the fourth. Valley shot 23.5% from the field and committed 11 turnovers in the third alone. The Suns recovered to score 29 points in the fourth, more than tripling their third-quarter output, but trimmed only six points off the deficit.
Chris Mañon accounted for six of Coachella Valley’s 17 steals and added 10 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two blocks. The Lakers forced 25 turnovers while committing 12, a margin that helped them overcome a tough shooting night. Coachella Valley shot 38.6% from the field and made 7 of 31 attempts from 3-point range. Valley shot 45.2% and made 12 3-pointers, yet finished nine points short in its home opener.
Young added three assists and led six Lakers in double figures. Arthur Kaluma came off the bench to score 18 points with nine rebounds and four assists. Anton Watson made seven of his 10 shots and finished with 15 points and six rebounds. William Kyle added 12 points and six rebounds, and reserve AK Okereke scored 10. Kaluma and Okereke combined for 28 points off the bench.
Phillip Wheeler and Corey Camper Jr. scored 18 points apiece to lead Valley. Wheeler added 10 rebounds, three steals and three blocks. CJ Huntley scored 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting, and Jordan Schakel matched him with 17 while making four of his seven 3-point attempts. John Camden had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Myron Amey Jr. added 11 points.
The victory came two nights after Coachella Valley lost 130-127 to the San Diego Clippers in the final seconds. The Lakers won their first two games of the tournament before that loss, beating the Salt Lake City Stars 104-98 in their opener and the Clippers 124-110 in the first game of their back-to-back. Thursday’s game was their first on the road since the franchise moved from South Bay to Palm Desert.
The Lakers and Suns meet again Sunday, Nov. 15, at Mullett Arena to continue Tip-Off Tournament play. Coachella Valley then returns to Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert to open a two-game home set against the Stockton Kings.