South Bay vs. San Diego

SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — In a frantic finish that required a video review to confirm, Taylor Funk’s layup at the buzzer lifted the San Diego Clippers to a 108-107 victory over the South Bay Lakers in a G League thriller on Sunday at Frontwave Arena.

The decisive play came after South Bay guard RJ Davis missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining. San Diego’s Taylor Funk secured the defensive rebound, and the Clippers called a timeout with four seconds left. On the ensuing inbounds play, a pass intended for the rim was tipped, but Funk gathered the loose ball and scored as time expired. Officials reviewed the play and confirmed the basket was good.

The dramatic ending capped a game that saw 15 lead changes and 10 ties. The Clippers, who lost a 16-point second-half lead in a loss earlier this season, nearly let another sizable advantage slip away. They erupted for 37 points in the second quarter to turn a 52-45 halftime deficit into an 83-76 lead entering the final period.

South Bay, the NBA G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers, mounted a fierce comeback in the fourth. A 12-2 run, capped by a Kylor Kelley dunk off an assist from Davis, gave the Lakers a 99-97 lead with just over two minutes to play.

The teams traded baskets down the stretch. TyTy Washington made two free throws with 53 seconds left to put San Diego up 103-101, but Tevian Jones answered with a driving layup for South Bay to tie it. After a turnover by the Lakers’ Bronny James, Jason Preston found Funk for an alley-oop and a foul, and Funk completed the three-point play for a 106-103 Clippers edge with 30 seconds remaining.

Davis then hit a floating jumper to cut the deficit to one with 18 seconds left, setting the stage for the final sequence after the Clippers missed a layup on the other end.

Funk led a balanced San Diego attack. The Clippers improved to 5-2 on the season, while South Bay fell to 5-3.

South Bay’s RJ Davis led all scorers and orchestrated the late rally. The Lakers’ Chris Manon provided early offense with two quick 3-pointers, and Tevian Jones hit four 3-pointers off the bench.

San Diego’s Yanic Konan Niederhauser was a force inside, contributing across the board. The Clippers’ backcourt of Jason Preston and TyTy Washington combined for timely scoring and playmaking.

The game was a stark contrast to the night before, when San Diego handled South Bay 124-113. The Lakers will look to rebound on the road against the Salt Lake City Stars on Tuesday. The Clippers begin a two-game road trip at the Rip City Remix on Tuesday. The teams will meet again in El Segundo on Dec. 16.