Cleveland Charge Opens Regular Season with a Comeback Win Over the Long Island Nets
Last night marked a significant turnaround for the Cleveland Charge, who had been struggling with a 1-7 record in December. The game against the Long Island Nets was not just the regular season opener for the G League but also a chance for the Charge to reset their momentum.
Sporting Margaritaville-themed jerseys, the Charge faced an early onslaught from the Nets, led by Noah Clowney, Kyle Edwards and Kaiser Gates. The Nets scored 48 points in the first quarter, including 9 three-pointers. Despite this, Isaiah Mobley kept the Charge in contention with 14 points.
The Charge stepped up their defense in the second quarter, holding the Nets to 18 points and reducing the deficit to 66-55 at halftime. This shift in momentum was crucial for the Charge's comeback.
The third quarter was where the Charge's comeback began to materialize. Outscoring the Nets 37-28, they closed the gap to a mere two points. Emoni Bates, with his sharpshooting, added three 3-pointers, complementing Sharife Cooper's trio of threes and his growing assist tally.
The final quarter saw the Charge complete their comeback. Bates' three-pointer tied the game at 115, and Mobley's and-one layup gave them a brief lead. After a series of free throws tied the game at 120, Cooper's three-pointer with 32 seconds left clinched the victory for the Charge with a final score of 123-122.
Key players for the Charge were Bates with 28 points (8 3PM), Cooper with 36 points and 14 assists, and Mobley with a double-double of 31 points and 14 rebounds. Zhaire Smith also contributed with 14 points and eight rebounds.
The Nets, led by Noah Clowney, Kennedy Chandler, and Kyler Edwards, put up a strong fight but couldn't hold off the Charge's comeback. The two teams are set to meet again tonight, with the Charge looking to build on this win.