THE TIPOFF Recap: Warriors Gaming Squad Finishes Group Play 2-2
June 23, 2020
Warriors Gaming finished 2-2 at THE TIPOFF, splitting both two-game sets with Pacers Gaming and Grizz Gaming. The team continued its .500 play all-time at THE TIPOFF after finishing 2-2 in 2018 and 1-1 in 2019.
Split with Pacers Gaming
WGS began its TIPOFF campaign at Pacers Gaming, losing a close opening game 61-57 in a matchup rarely separated by more than five points throughout all four quarters. CB13’s 29 points weren’t enough to offset 20 points from Pacers Gaming power forward Swizurk, most of which came in the Pacers’ 20-point fourth quarter. The loss was WGS’ second consecutive THE TIPOFF opening game loss to Pacers Gaming; the team fell to Pacers Gaming 53-51 in the opening game of the 2019 tournament.
The @Gradient and @CB13 duo steal the ball from mid-court & take it to the rim in this week's Play of the Game presented by @TanduayUSA 🏀 pic.twitter.com/a7SYf4DLMs
— Warriors Gaming (@WarriorsGaming) June 18, 2020
The second game, just like in 2019, was a WGS clinic. Rebounding from the opening game loss, WGS won 96-69 in a game sealed by a 31-9 Warriors Gaming second quarter. WGS hit 13 three-pointers and missed only 15 shots all game, with CB13 turning in a career-high 54 points, also a WGS record at THE TIPOFF. The team was particularly effective in transition, racking up 17 steals and 17 assists in the win.
This week's MVP presented by @TanduayUSA goes to @CB13 in the Tip Off's Game 2 vs @PacersGaming! pic.twitter.com/JfSG2oFJob
— Warriors Gaming (@WarriorsGaming) June 17, 2020
Another Split with Grizz Gaming
WGS immediately switched gears to take on the Grizz, who entered the series fresh off a four-game regular season win streak. Another impressive second quarter, which WGS carried with a 22-9 margin, ultimately resulted in a 73-67 win, the team’s second of the day. Four WGS players finished the game with double-digit points, including a a season-high 15 points from Gradient and a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double from Slaughter.
Game two was another nail biter. Playing on the Grizz’s servers, WGS fought back to tie the game with a late, dramatic three-pointer from Gradient, but ultimately fell 70-68 behind Vandi’s 38 points. Slaughter’s 15-point, 15-rebound double-double led the way offensively for WGS, with CB13 adding 25 points and 8 assists of his own. The loss saw WGS finish group play 2-2, and while a strong point differential (+6.5) kept the team’s wildcard hopes alive until the final few hours of group play, the team was eliminated before the quarterfinals.
It's time to analyze a big moment play in the @NBA2KLeague Tip Off!
Watch @Gradient break it down in this week's Player Review against @GrizzGaming! 📝 pic.twitter.com/AOrkGaDqJI
— Warriors Gaming (@WarriorsGaming) June 19, 2020
Regular Season Schedule Announced
With THE TIPOFF tournament in the rearview mirror, WGS turns its focus to the remainder of the regular season, where the team posted the best start in franchise history (6-0) and sits 6-1 entering week seven. On Tuesday, Warriors Gaming Squad announced its full schedule for the remainder of the 2020 season. The team will play nine more series to finish the season with 16 games played. THE TURN, which WGS won last season, is also set for the middle of the season, while THE TICKET, which WGS also won in 2019, will be conducted after the season for teams vying for the tenth and final playoff spot.