Ten days removed from Christmas and the Santa Cruz Warriors were still in the mood for giving. After all, sharing is caring.
The Warriors recorded a franchise-record 40 assists in their 125-100 win over the G League Ignite in the teams’ NBA G League game at The Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nevada, on Thursday night.
Santa Cruz’s previous high of 39 assists was set against host Reno on Feb. 21, 2015.
It was the Warriors’ first win on the young season after posting an 8-10 record in Showcase Cup play, and Ignite’s second loss. The teams square off again in Henderson on Friday at 7 pm
Lester Quinones gift-wrapped a few baskets with some of his team-high 13 assists, and he also scored 16 points.
Dusty Hannahs and Gui Santos each lead the Warriors (1-2) with 25 points. Hannahs was 9-of-16 shooting from the field with four 3-pointers. Santos, forced to play center in the final two minutes of the first half after Jayce Johnson and Trevion Williams were sidelined by foul trouble, finished with a plus-29 rating.
Zeke Moore made five of the Warriors’ 16 3-pointers and finished with 21 points. Johnson had 14 points — eight of which came off of dunks — and seven rebounds, Elijah Pemberton scored 10 points, and Williams had eight points and 10 rebounds.
With Williams’ help, the Warriors outrebounded Ignite 43-34.
Santa Cruz scored 64 points in the paint and shot 60% (49 for 82) from the field. The Warriors found success in so many areas of their game, it almost made their 19 turnovers forgivable.
The short-handed Warriors, battling numerous injuries, played with just eight players. Wesley Saunders had six points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Leonard Miller and Babacar Sane each scored 17 points to lead the Ignite (3-2).
THE SCORE
Warriors 125, Ignite 100
Up next: Santa Cruz at G League Ignite
When: Friday, 7 p.m
TV: NBCSBA+
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