SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — In a frantic finish befitting a budding rivalry, the Austin Spurs edged the Salt Lake City Stars 120-118 on Thursday night at Bruin Arena, sweeping a two-game G League set in dramatic fashion.

The game, a back-and-forth affair featuring 18 lead changes, was decided in the final second. With the score tied at 118 and time expiring, Austin’s Harrison Ingram secured an offensive rebound off a missed three-pointer by Tre King and immediately kicked the ball back out to King. King then drained a 24-foot jumper as the buzzer sounded to deliver the victory. The shot was confirmed after a replay review.

The clutch basket capped a resilient performance by the Spurs, who weathered a potent Salt Lake City offensive attack and a late rally. The Stars, who trailed for much of the fourth quarter, took a 118-116 lead with 28 seconds remaining on two Oscar Tshiebwe free throws. Austin’s Kyle Mangas answered with a 26-foot three-pointer 12 seconds later to put the Spurs back in front by one.

On the ensuing possession, Salt Lake City’s Sean East missed a driving shot, but Tshiebwe collected the offensive board and was fouled. He made both free throws to give the Stars a 118-119 edge with eight seconds left, setting the stage for King’s game-winner.

The contest was a showcase for backcourt talent. Austin’s Jayden Nunn, a shooting guard from Flint, Michigan, led all scorers with a dynamic performance, consistently attacking the rim and facilitating the offense. For Salt Lake City, Max Klesmit of Neenah, Wisconsin, provided a scoring spark off the bench, while backcourt mates Kenan Blackshear, Justin Harmon and Max Abmas each had stretches of effective play. The Stars’ frontcourt, led by Matthew Cleveland and Cameron McGriff, also contributed significantly to keeping the game tight.

Austin improved its season record to 17-6 with the win, solidifying its position near the top of the league standings. Salt Lake City fell to 17-8. The result was a slight upset according to pregame analytics, which heavily favored the Stars at home.

The game’s pivotal moment was unquestionably the final sequence. After Mangas’s go-ahead three-pointer, the Stars had a chance to reclaim the lead or win. East’s missed runner and Tshiebwe’s offensive rebound and free throws momentarily swung the advantage back to Salt Lake City. However, Austin’s composure in the final eight seconds proved decisive. Ingram’s alert rebound and quick pass, followed by King’s calm, contested three-pointer under extreme pressure, provided a thrilling conclusion to a high-stakes game between two of the G League’s top teams.

The Spurs now head home before a road game at Oklahoma City on Jan. 20. The Stars continue a homestand with a game against Memphis on Jan. 21.