Shorthanded Texas Legends experience high and lows during recent stretch

The Texas Legends did extremely well at the Vegas Showcase. They won both games they played in front of NBA executives. They managed to win a few games on the road after that without McKinley Wright IV and Jaden Hardy, who were with the Mavericks because of injuries.

Unfortunately, the Legends had to say goodbye to Tyler Dorsey the day after Christmas as the Mavericks waived him for A.J. Lawson. If you remember, Lawson was one of the final cuts from the Mavericks before the season started. 

Let’s review how the Legends did at the end of December and the beginning of January.

Texas Legends G League Vegas Showcase recap

Before the Texas Legends had their holiday break, they took a quick trip to Vegas to participate in the G League Vegas Showcase. They didn‘t make the tournament bracket but got two guaranteed games. The Legends took on the Raptors 905 in the first game and won 123-115. Tyler Dorsey led the game in points with 28 in a good showing for the Legends in front of the national audience.

In the final game they played at the showcase, they beat the Long Island Nets 123-108. Tyler Dorsey once again led the Legends in points with 26 followed by Tyler Hall with 24. It was another excellent performance by the Legends, and they were undefeated at the showcase.

Legends get bombarded by the Squadron 134-101

Unfortunately, that momentum from the G League showcase stayed in Vegas as the Legends lost to the Squadron 134-101. However. that's only part of the reason that they lost by a significant margin.

The Mavericks are so injured that they recalled Tyler Dorsey, Jaden Hardy, and McKinley Wright IV. The Legends had a small roster, and it showed against the Squadron. Grant Riller finished with 23 points for the Legends. Tyler Hall finished right behind with 18 points on the night. Hopefully, the Legends can turn it around the following night.

Riller and Baba lead the way for the Legends win

Grant Riller and Yudai Baba really helped out the Legends during the second game against the Squadron. The Legends would go on to win their final game of 2022 winning 104-94. The Squadron had no answer for Riller who finished with 31 points. Baba was right behind him with 26 points on the night. This was a good response for the Legends after losing the previous night by a huge margin. Let’s see if the beginning of 2023 helps the Legends turn their season around.

Riller explodes for 39 in the first game of 2023

Grant Riller will find himself on an NBA team any day now if he continues the way he’s playing now. He dropped 39 on the Iowa Wolves on New Year's Day as the Legends destroyed the Wolves 138-126. Riller just dominated Iowa from the opening tip and the rest was history. Tyler Hall provided some scoring support as well as he dropped 35 points. The Legends were only leading by one going into halftime and in the second half they put this game away. This was a great way to start 2023 on the right foot.

Legends barely lose to the Sioux Falls Skyforce 132-130

The Legends couldn‘t continue their good luck as the game was moved to Wednesday due to inclement weather on Tuesday night. I think that is what threw off the Legends as they would go on to lose 132-130. They hustled hard in the third quarter dropping 43 points trying to bring them back within striking range of the Skyforce. However, when you allow four players to drop 20+ points, you are bound to lose that game.

Riller dropped another 38 points for the Legends. Taze Moore had a career game as he finished with 22 points. Let’s hope that the home crowd can help out the Legends as they return home for two games against the Memphis Hustle.