Newly acquired Texas Legend P.J. Hairston didn’t get the start in the his debut last Saturday night in Frisco, but once his number was called, it became clear there is a new force to be reckoned with in the NBA’s D-League.
Showing the poise and composure that were the hallmarks of his NCAA career at the University of North Carolina, Hairston proved his skill set can dominate even at the next level. Here’s a breakdown of Hairston’s debut and a review of last week’s Texas Legends’ matchups.
L Texas Legends (13-9) @ Rio Grande Valley Vipers (16-5)—115-109
With three Texas Legends starters recording double-doubles and five players scoring in double digits last Friday night at Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, it is baffling that they walked away on the wrong side of the win/loss ledger.
But if you believe in “positive” losses, then that is exactly the Legends can take away from their ninth loss on the season. In truth, this game was a testament to just how good the Vipers are at home this season. After all, they are the reigning NBADL Champions.
Forward Marcus Hubbard put together a career game with 28 points and an eye-popping 17 rebounds. F Devin Ebanks netted 30 pts with eight boards and five assists. F/C Melvin Ely recorded 12 pts and 10 rebounds in just over 27 minutes of floor time, and G Terrel Harris snatched 10 rebounds with 15 points.
A loss such as this has to leave you wondering what the Legends might be capable of if they were to add one more upper-tier shooter to their squad…
W Texas Legends (14-9) Vs. Austin Toros (9-10)—109-99
Thanks in no small part to the sparkling D-League debut of one P.J. Hairston, the Texas Legends exploded out of the gates against the Toros to take a commanding 13pt lead after the first quarter. Up 21 pts at halftime, the Legends were allowed the luxury of putting the game on cruise control in the second half, as they easily dispatched their Central Division rival Austin Toros.
Hairston led the Legends in points scored, with 22 in just over 28 minutes. Terrel Harris produced his second consecutive double-double with 18 pts and 10 rebounds, while former Dallas Maverick Mickey McConnell followed suit, with 20 pts and 10 assists.
Upcoming Texas Legends games
The Texas Legends are getting more home cooking this weekend as they take on the Rio Grande Valley Vipers this Friday, January 24 @ 7:00 PM and the Santa Cruz Warriors this Saturday, January 25 @ 7:00 PM at The Dr. Pepper Arena.
Anytime the front-running Vipers are in town, tickets move fast. And since this will be P.J. Hariston’s first game against the first place Vipers, you’d better get your tickets ASAP.
Can’t make the game? Fret not, as both games are available via the Texas Legends official YouTube channel, as well as on KTXD. On the road? No problemo: catch all of the play-by-play on KVCE 1160 AM.
