The Stockton Kings will open the NBA G League Finals on Wednesday after defeating the South Bay Lakers 101–97 to win the Western Conference Finals and secure their second straight championship appearance.
The No. 3 seed Stockton Kings NBA G League Finals run continues after a late comeback at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, where Stockton erased a fourth-quarter deficit and closed the game with key plays on both ends.
Forward DaQuan Jeffries led Stockton with 27 points, while guard Dexter Dennis added 19 points and hit six three-pointers. Jameer Nelson Jr. contributed 18 points off the bench, and Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Gabe Levin each finished with 14.
Late-game execution sends Stockton to Finals
Stockton trailed by nine points early in the fourth quarter but responded with a run fueled by Dennis’ shooting and defensive stops. Levin’s one-handed putback dunk with 20 seconds remaining gave Stockton the lead for good.
A defensive stop and two free throws in the final seconds sealed the 101–97 victory and clinched the Western Conference title.
Head coach Will Scott said the team’s response late reflected its growth.
“We got stops, we got rebounds, and we had some guys make some huge plays,” Scott said. “We found that energy again when it mattered most.”
Scott said the team stayed composed despite adversity.
“There’s 15 minutes left in the season potentially, and we’re better than what we showed,” he said. “We had to embrace the moment and come together.”
Depth and consistency lead the way
The Kings’ playoff run has been defined by balance, with multiple players stepping up throughout the postseason.
Scott said that identity has been consistent all season.
“It’s never going to be one guy,” he said. “We’ve been preaching playing together and staying connected since day one.”
That approach has carried into the Finals, where Scott said the team continues to lean on a selfless style of play.
“It’s just a selfless approach and everybody sacrificing for the greater good,” Scott said. “We’ve really played team basketball all season, and we’re here because of that.”
Players pointed to communication and trust as key factors in the team’s success.
“I think it’s just staying connected and communicating,” one player said. “We have a lot of guys who can step up any night.”
Finals matchup ahead
Stockton now turns its focus to the NBA G League Finals, where it will face the Greensboro Swarm. Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Speaking ahead of the series, Scott said the team is focused on preparation and staying present.
“We’ve just focused on each step of the journey, one day at a time, one game at a time,” Scott said. “Right now, we’re focused on the game tomorrow.”
He added that experience from last season’s Finals run could play a role.
“Having guys that have been there before definitely gives us an edge,” Scott said. “We’ll lean on that experience when we get out there.”
The Kings are the defending G League champions and will look to build on this run as the series begins.
Scott said the team’s approach will remain centered on execution.
“It’s about us playing up to our capabilities and maximizing every possession,” he said.
For Stockton, the Western Conference title sets the stage for another opportunity — with the next chapter beginning Wednesday.