Clippers fall short to Vipers in home game finale despite big night from Flowers

OCEANSIDE, Calif. – The Rio Grande Valley Vipers defeated the San Diego Clippers, 109-95, on Thursday night at Frontwave Arena.

Tonight marked the second consecutive game these two teams played each other. RGV previously beat San Diego on Tuesday night at Frontwave Arena, 125-109. San Diego entered the game 12th in the Western Conference, needing to win out the rest of the games in the regular season to have a chance at making the G-League playoffs. RGV went into the game tied with the Oklahoma City Blue for the sixth seed in the Western Conference and a playoff spot.

In contrast to Tuesday night’s game, the first half was tightly contested. San Diego had success early in the game attacking the rim, led by Flowers’ 10 points in the paint.

“It was a point of emphasis,” Clippers head coach Paul Hewitt said. “We felt like because they switched so much that we’d have some cross-matches that we can take advantage of.”

Like Tuesday night’s game, the game was close toward the end of the fourth quarter. At the 4:16 mark of the 4th quarter, the score was 91-85 in favor of the Vipers. Before an inbound play, there was a back-and-forth conversation between Vipers guard Daishen Nix and a fan courtside. The game was temporarily stopped, and the fan was escorted off the court by security, which led to the crowd erupting with cheers.

OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA – A fan is escorted out of the arena by security following a back-and-forth argument with RGV Vipers guard Daishen Nix at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California. (Photo by Artur Ivanov/Prost International)

Nix was met with boos from Clipper fans for the remainder of the game every time he touched the ball. Nix immediately responded to the initial boos with two field goals in the paint, increasing the Vipers lead to double digits. The Vipers maintained the lead for the rest of the game.

RGV was led by Nix, who had a game-high 30 points, while center N’Faly Dante had another efficient game, scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds on 10-of-14 shooting. Forward Jermaine Samuels Jr. had a double-double, with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Their efforts were followed by another strong performance off the bench from guard Markquis Nowell, who finished with 18 points and eight assists.

OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 20: N’Faly Dante #3 of the RGV Vipers and Daishen Nix #11 of the RGV Vipers at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California. (Photo by Artur Ivanov/Prost International)

OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 20: Markquis Nowell #1 of the RGV Vipers attacks the rim against Trentyn Flowers #9 of the San Diego Clippers at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California. (Photo by Artur Ivanov/Prost International)

Guard Trentyn Flowers led San Diego with 27 points. Thursday night marked his 12th 20+point game of the season. He had great success attacking the basket and finishing through contact, scoring 22 points in the paint.

“First off, I’m skinny so if I let someone hit me first, it’s probably not [going to] go too well,” Flowers said. “So, I always like to initiate contact. I think it’s just the work I put into my game…I feel like I’m good at drawing fouls and that’s just my game. I’m aggressive and I kind of have a dog mentality when I get to the rim.”

Flowers’ performance was followed by an 18-point game from guard Jalen Adaway off the bench. Guard Isaiah Brockington and newly assigned two-way forward Kobe Brown also had double-digit performances, scoring 12 and 10 points respectively.

OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 20: Jalen Adaway #19 of the San Diego Clippers attacks the basket against N’Faly Dente #3 of the RGV Vipers at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California. (Photo by Artur Ivanov/Prost International)

RGV obtained a playoff spot after capturing the sixth seed following Thursday night’s win. They have four more games in the season to maintain their seeding.

San Diego was officially eliminated from playoff contention following Thursday night’s loss. They have three road games left to finish the regular season.

“Well, we just gotta keep getting better,” Hewitt said. “That’s what it’s about in the G-League. It’s about player improvement. We obviously did a good job this year with as many guys that got called up [to the Los Angeles Clippers] on two-way contracts. We want to keep that trend of helping guys get better.”

Last night marked the last home game for the Clippers in their inaugural season in San Diego.

“San Diego, by far, has the best arena in the G-League,” Flowers said. “Just from our fanbase consistently showing up every night whether we’re winning or losing…I had a great time here and I’ve enjoyed San Diego. I wouldn’t have rather spent my first year anywhere else.”

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