Preview: College Park Skyhawks at Grand Rapids Gold

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Interstat) — The Grand Rapids Gold look to rebound from a pair of lopsided home losses when they host the struggling College Park Skyhawks in a G League matchup Thursday night at Van Andel Arena.

The Gold (13-8) have lost two straight, including a 149-119 defeat to Greensboro on Monday, after winning five of their previous six games. They will face a Skyhawks team (6-14) that has lost eight of its last 10.

Grand Rapids will rely on guard James Akinjo, who has been a consistent offensive catalyst. Akinjo is averaging 19.8 points and 8.4 assists over his last 10 games. He scored 32 points with 10 assists in Monday’s loss, following a 31-point, nine-assist performance in a win at Motor City on Dec. 30.

College Park is coming off a 116-98 road loss to Wisconsin on Monday, despite a dominant performance from center Malik Williams. Williams is in the midst of a stellar individual stretch, averaging 20.5 points and 12.6 rebounds over his last 10 contests. He posted 32 points and 13 rebounds against the Herd and had a 21-point, 15-rebound game against Long Island on Dec. 28.

The Skyhawks’ recent results have been defined by defensive struggles, allowing an average of 122.1 points during their 2-8 skid. They will need to contain Akinjo and a Gold offense that averages 123.7 points per game at home.

Grand Rapids won the only meeting between the teams last season, 127-117, on March 17, 2025. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Grand Rapids on Saturday.

For College Park, guard Kobe Johnson is also coming off a strong performance with 19 points and 13 rebounds against Wisconsin. For Grand Rapids, forward Terrence Hargrove added 25 points and nine rebounds in the loss to Greensboro.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EST.