Skyforce Face Lakers in Crucial G League Playoff Push

Sioux Falls and South Bay battle for Western Conference playoff positioning in final regular season games

Mar. 27, 2026 at 9:06am

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With just two games remaining in the regular season, the Sioux Falls Skyforce face a critical stretch as they travel to El Segundo, California, to take on the South Bay Lakers. The two teams will meet on Thursday night and again on Saturday, with both games carrying significant weight in the Western Conference playoff picture.

Why it matters

The convergence of these two teams at this stage of the season highlights the competitive nature of the G League and the importance of each game as teams vie for playoff positioning. The Skyforce's balanced attack and the Lakers' offensive firepower will make for compelling matchups.

The details

Sioux Falls has demonstrated its ability to compete with the league's top teams, recently splitting matchups against Austin, Stockton, and Mexico City. The Skyforce currently rank second in the G League in defensive rating (109.7) and lead the league in assists per game with an average of 29.5. The South Bay Lakers recently put together an 11-game winning streak and currently rank third in points per game (121.3) and offensive rating (119.6). They lead the league in field goal percentage at 59.9 percent and rank third in three-point percentage at 38.2.

  • Thursday's game is scheduled for a 9:00 p.m. CST tip-off on ESPN+.
  • The regular season finale is set for Saturday at 7:00 p.m. CST on Prime Video.

The players

Jahmir Young

Miami HEAT two-way guard who ranks second in the G League with 25.8 points per game.

Josh Christopher

Skyforce player who contributes 22.7 points per game and ranks fifth in steals with 2.2 per game.

Malik Williams

Former Skyforce player who is now a key contributor for the South Bay Lakers, averaging 15.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.

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What they’re saying

“The convergence of these two teams at this stage of the season highlights the competitive nature of the G League and the importance of each game as teams vie for playoff positioning.”

— Samantha Carter, Newsy-Today.com Editor

The takeaway

These final two games between the Sioux Falls Skyforce and South Bay Lakers will be crucial in determining playoff positioning in the Western Conference of the NBA G League. Both teams have shown their strengths throughout the season, and the outcome of these matchups could have a significant impact on their postseason aspirations.