G League Showdown Set for Legacy Arena as Hot Swarm Visit Struggling Squadron

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — A clash of G League teams on opposite trajectories is set for Monday afternoon at Legacy Arena as the visiting Greensboro Swarm face the Birmingham Squadron.

The Swarm (17-7) enter riding a wave of success, having won seven of their last nine games. Their most recent outing was a 123-111 road victory at Westchester on Thursday. Forward Keyontae Johnson, a player to watch, contributed 22 points and five rebounds in that win. Johnson has been a consistent offensive force, averaging 26.4 points over his last five contests, including a 40-point, seven-assist performance in a blowout win over Grand Rapids on Jan. 5.

In contrast, the Squadron (9-18) are mired in a six-game losing streak. They are coming off a 109-94 home loss to Motor City on Thursday, despite a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double from center Hunter Dickinson. Dickinson, Birmingham’s key figure, has been a bright spot during the skid, averaging a double-double of 17.7 points and 11.6 rebounds over the last seven games. His season highlights include a 23-point, 22-rebound effort in a loss at Delaware on Jan. 4.

The matchup in the paint between Johnson’s versatile scoring and Dickinson’s interior presence will be critical. Greensboro’s offense, which has topped 120 points in eight of its last ten games, will test a Birmingham defense that has allowed an average of 108.6 points during its losing streak.

Greensboro’s backcourt, featuring Antonio Reeves (21 points vs. Westchester) and K.J. Simpson (18 points, eight assists), provides additional firepower. Birmingham will look for backcourt production from Jaden Springer, who scored 23 points in the loss to Motor City.

Following Monday’s contest, the Squadron host Cleveland for a two-game set beginning Thursday. The Swarm continue a road trip with a pair of games at Maine starting Friday.