Lakers assignees Ryan Kelly, Tarik Black help D-Fenders defeat Idaho Stampede
Lakers forward Tarik Black grabs a rebound from Nuggets forward J.J. Hickson during a game at Staples Center on Nov. 3.
The D-Fenders defeated the Idaho Stampede, 117-107, on Friday night with the help of Lakers assignees Ryan Kelly and Tarik Black.
Kelly led all scorers with 28 points, making nine of 15 shots, including four of seven from three-point range. He also matched Black with 12 rebounds. Black scored 17 points by making seven of 16 shots.
The Lakers sent the pair to their NBA Development League affiliate, where they likely will stay to play on Sunday against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
The Lakers play in Denver against the Nuggets on Tuesday, while the D-Fenders travel to Santa Cruz to visit the Warriors. It’s unclear which trip Kelly and Black will make.
Because Black is in his second year in the NBA, the Lakers can assign him to the D-Fenders at their discretion. Kelly, a third-year forward, has to give the team consent to go on assignment to the D-League.
Against Idaho, the D-Fenders also got 19 points and 10 assists from former Lakers guard Vander Blue.
Guard Michael Frazier and center Robert Upshaw, both affiliate players who went through training camp with the Lakers, scored 15 and two points, respectively.
The Stampede was led by Minnesota Timberwolves rookie point guard Tyus Jones’ 25 points. Former San Antonio Spurs forward Jeff Ayres finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Guard Phil Pressey, son of Lakers assistant coach Paul Pressey, scored 12 points and had five assists for Idaho (4-12).
The D-Fenders, who have played through a number of roster adjustment, improved to 7-6 on the season with the win.
The D-Fenders recently traded former Lakers guard Manny Harris to the Texas Legends, who are affiliated with the Dallas Mavericks, for the rights to forward Damion James, who is currently playing in Australia.
James, who was a college teammate of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant at Texas, might join the D-Fenders in February. If not, the team still holds his returning rights for next season.
D-Fenders point guard Josh Magette is roughly a week away from returning after sustaining a thumb injury.
Recently acquired forward Jamaal Franklin left the D-Fenders to play overseas. The team since has brought back forward D.J. Shumpert.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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