The Stockton Kings’ season came to an end with a 119-104 loss to the Greensboro Swarm in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA G League Finals, closing a playoff run that brought another championship push and strong community support to the city.
The No. 3 seed Kings finished as Western Conference champions and reached the Finals for the second straight year, but struggled to overcome an early deficit against Greensboro on Friday night.
Early deficit proves too much to overcome
Stockton had difficulty finding its rhythm from the start, shooting 6 of 23 in the first quarter and scoring just 19 points. Greensboro took advantage and built a 25-19 lead.
The Swarm extended that margin in the second quarter, pushing the lead to 14 before halftime. Stockton trailed 62-50 at the break.
Head coach Will Scott said the team never fully settled in early.
“We had a hard time finding rhythm,” Scott said. “We made a push later, but we didn’t execute well enough when it mattered.”
Kings respond but fall short late
The Kings opened the third quarter with a 7-0 run and cut the deficit to five. Dexter Dennis led the effort as Stockton tied the game at 75 midway through the quarter.
Stockton outscored Greensboro in the third and pulled within six entering the fourth. However, Greensboro regained control late and pushed the lead back to double digits, sealing the win.
“If we got a couple more stops and made a few more plays, we would’ve been right there,” guard Jameer Nelson Jr. said. “We just didn’t execute enough.”
Balanced effort leads Stockton
DaQuan Jeffries led Stockton with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Dennis added 24 points, while Patrick Baldwin Jr. scored 20. Nelson Jr. contributed 18 points off the bench.
Despite the loss, Nelson Jr. said the team remained focused on effort and accountability.
“This was probably one of our toughest shooting nights,” he said. “It came at a bad time, but we stayed together.”
Season defined by connection and growth
The loss ends a season that Scott described as one of the most meaningful of his career.
“This was a special group,” Scott said. “The players, the staff, the culture we built — it’s something we’ll all carry with us.”
He pointed to the team’s selfless style and trust as key factors in its success.
“We had a connected group that believed in each other,” Scott said. “That showed all season.”
Nelson Jr. said that belief stayed consistent, no matter who was on the floor.
“Whoever suited up, we felt like we had a chance to win,” he said. “That’s what made this team special.”
Community support fuels playoff run
Throughout the season, the Kings drew strong support from the Stockton community, especially during the playoff run at Adventist Health Arena.
Scott said the crowd played a role in the team’s energy all year.
“The fans were consistent,” he said. “They showed up, they brought passion, and they gave us a real home-court feel.”
Nelson Jr. said the connection with fans made the loss harder to take.
“They were loud, they showed love, and they gave us momentum,” he said. “You feel that as a player.”
A foundation moving forward
While the season ended short of a title, the Kings’ back-to-back Finals appearances and Western Conference championship mark continued progress for the franchise.
Scott said the experience will carry into the future.
“You learn from moments like this,” he said. “We’ll take it, grow from it, and be ready for what’s next.”
For Stockton, the season offered more than wins and losses. It brought together players, fans and the community around a team that made another deep run — and left a foundation to build on moving forward.