PACERS GAMING STARTS SEASON 2-0
February 28, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS (February 28, 2024) – Pacers Gaming starts their 2024 season 2-0, with series wins against Grizz Gaming (3-1) and Bucks Gaming (3-1).
Pacers Gaming, the NBA 2K League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers, opened the seventh season of the league in fine fashion Wednesday evening with two best-of-five series victories in Group Play of the 3v3 SLAM OPEN Tournament. The Pacers defeated Grizz Gaming 3-1 early in the night and then came back from being down a game to win 3-1 over Bucks Gaming. The 2-0 Blue & Gold will play another double header this Friday, March 1 – 6:00 p.m. vs. T-Wolves Gaming and 8:15 p.m. vs. Mavs Gaming.
Pacers point guard COOKS (Mike Campbell), acquired in the offseason in a four-team mega deal, was outstanding as new Indiana coach Joel Lazu enjoyed a fine Hoosier debut. COOKS was Indiana’s leading scorer in seven of the eight first-to-21-wins contests, averaging 11.9 points per game. Teaming up with COOKS in the Pacers lineup in all eight games were Indiana veterans CHESS (Kory Taylor) and JAYSNAGS (Julio Laboy).
The Pacers took Game 1 against the Grizz 21-15 as COOKS scored 11 and CHESS added eight. Former Pacer VANDI led Memphis with nine points. The Grizz came back to capture Game 2 as VANDI scored 14 and COOKS added 10 for Indiana. COOKS had 10 points and four assists, JAYSNAGS added six and CHESS scored five in a 21-17 Game 3 victory for Indiana. The Pacers closed out the series with a 21-16 triumph in Game 4 as COOKS tallied 15 and JAYSNAGS added six.
Indiana dropped Game 1 of the nightcap series to Bucks Gaming 23-18 as JOHHNYRED scored 10 and DIMEZ added seven points for Milwaukee. CHESS scored 10 and COOKS added eight in a losing effort for the Pacers. The Blue & Gold evened the series with a dominant 23-12 victory in Game 2 as COOKS scored 11 and CHESS tallied 10. The Pacers continued their brilliant play with a 22-16 win in Game 3 as COOKS scored 14 and JAYSNAGS and CHESS each recorded four points. CHESS would not be denied in the clinching Game 4 with his best scoring effort of the night, 16 points, in a 21-19 victory. CHESS added five for Indiana and DIMEZ scored 11 for Milwaukee.
All Pacers Gaming contests can be seen on TWITCH.