Cleveland Charge battle back in thrilling fashion to beat the Long Island Nets

Things plain did not look good for the home team as they battled the Long Island Nets in front of 4,038 rabid fans at the Wolstein Center on Friday evening. To start with, Long Island had a run of nearly fifty points in just the first quarter and at one point led by 23 points. Cleveland managed to chip away at the score until by the half the lead was cut to 11 points as the two teams took a well needed break.

In the second half, the Charge managed to come back and at one point to take the lead but that would change back and forth until the end of the game. It took a three pointer from Sharife Cooper to set up the final stages of the one point victory. To trust a local vernacular...the crowd went nuts. The victory begins the 34 game NBA G League regular season the Cleveland Charge.

For the Charge it was the three musketeers of Emoni Bates, Sharife Cooper and Isaiah Mobley who combined for an incredible 95 points. Cooper earned Player of the Game honors scoring 36 points while dishing out 14 assists with three dramatic steals in 46 minutes. Mobley earned a double-double with 31 points , 14 boards and two blocks in 39 minutes on the floor. Bates came through with 28 points hitting 8-of-17 from the arc in 35 minutes. Zhaire Smith added 14 points and eight rebounds to the mic in 39 minutes of play.

For the Long Island Nets it was Brooklyn assignment Noah Clowney scoring 25 points with seven rebounds and three blocks in 34 minutes. Kennedy Chandler followed up with 20 points scored and four assists in 36 minutes. Kyler Edwards rounded out the top scorers for the club with 18 points and eight rebounds in 34 minutes.

It was Margaritaville Night at the Center as the first 1,000 ticket holders received a Margaritaville themed bucket hat. The Star Spangled Banner was sung by the lead singer of a local Jimmy Buffet tribute band and various “ville” contests were held during the game. The excitement of the crowd seemed to inspire the team as the cheering got louder and louder as they drew closer to overtaking the Nets.

The two teams will meet once again here in Cleveland on Saturday, December 30, 2023 with tip-off at 7:00 p.m. for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://cleveland.gleague.nba.com/.