Tarik Black’s 25 points help D-Fenders defeat Warriors

While the Lakers were in Denver, defeating the Nuggets 111-107, Tarik Black and Ryan Kelly were on assignment in the NBA Development League in Santa Cruz, helping the D-Fenders beat the Warriors 104-82.

Black had a strong game, scoring 25 points with 14 rebounds. Kelly scored 19 with seven rebounds and six assists.

Lakers affiliate player Robert Upshaw, who went through training camp with the team, had one of his better games of the season with 11 points and seven rebounds.

The D-Fenders got point guard Josh Magette back from a thumb injury, and he dished seven assists with seven steals.

Through four games with the D-Fenders, Black has averaged a double-double 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds. Kelly has the highest point per game average on the team at 26.0, while grabbing 8.5 rebounds and dishing 4.0 assists.

Kelly is also shooting 51.4% from the field and 44.4% from three-point range.

Lakers rookie forward Anthony Brown, who is not currently on assignment, has six games logged with the D-Fenders, averaging 15.5 points a game.

Upshaw is at 5.2 points and 4.1 rebounds a night, through 12 appearances.

The D-Fenders are currently 8-7 on the season, fourth in the D-League’s Western Conference.

Kelly and Black may be recalled by the Lakers for games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Clippers. The D-Fenders play again Saturday in Texas against the Legends.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.