The G League Ignite’s hopes for international glory were dashed in an underwhelming performance against Spanish side, Club Baloncesto Canarias (Lenovo Tenerife), in the 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup final. Former Golden State Warriors forward Rudy Gay and his teammates couldn’t find their rhythm, falling 82-69 in a game that lacked flow and precision.
From the start, Tenerife controlled the tempo, leveraging their experience and cohesion against the Ignite’s youthful energy. Tenerife’s veteran core, led by Marcelinho Huertas, dictated play, while the G League squad struggled with ball movement and turnovers, committing 20 throughout the game. The lack of offensive organization plagued Ignite, as they shot just 38% from the field, compared to Tenerife’s efficient 50%.
Rudy Gay, who recently signed with the Ignite after over 15 years in the NBA, had a quiet night, finishing with just 8 points on 3-of-9 shooting. While Gay’s presence was intended to provide leadership and stability, the team’s collective inexperience and lack of chemistry were evident throughout the contest. The G League Ignite, composed largely of young prospects aiming to boost their draft stock, looked disjointed against the more polished Tenerife.
Ignite’s top scorer, John Jenkins, managed 17 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Tenerife’s balanced attack, which saw five players score in double figures. Defensively, the G League Ignite had no answer for Tenerife’s ball movement and three-point shooting, as the Spanish club drained 10 shots from beyond the arc.
The loss highlights the challenges the Ignite faces as a developmental team competing against seasoned international squads. Despite their raw talent, Ignite’s lack of cohesion and composure was exposed in the tournament’s final stage.
