Two Indiana Pacers players suit up for G League Next Up game during NBA All-Star weekend, Oscar Tshiebwe wins event
INDIANAPOLIS — The G League Next Up game, essentially the G League All-Star game, took place on Sunday in Indianapolis. It is the second-ever year for the event, which features many of the G League's best talents.
Two Indiana Pacers players, Isaiah Wong and Oscar Tshiebwe, participated in the event — as did wing Kyle Mangas of the Pacers G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants. Tshiebwe was on Team EarnYourLeisure (EYL), Mangas suited up for Team Giraffe Stars, and Wong was with Team StrictlyBball (Strictly).
The G League Next Up participants were split into different groups because the format of the event was a mini-tournament. There were four teams in a single elimination bracket, which made for three games in total.
Mangas was the first to play. His team took on Team BallIsLife to open the event, and Mangas was a starter for his squad. He scored early in the duel with a driving layup, and a fan walking off the floor commented that the G League wing played his college basketball in Indiana. Mangas, a Warsaw native, has many ties to the state.
The game was played with a target score — the first team to reach 30 points would win. In this case, that was Team BallIsLife. Mangas, with many family members watching, finished with two points, two rebounds, and one assist, but his squad wasn't able to get it done.
"It's just cool to be a part of, especially with it being in Indianapolis," Mangas said after the game.
The next game featured both Wong and Tshiebwe as EYL and Team Strictly faced off. "We were talking smack before the game. He was trying to dap me up and I wasn't having it," Wong said of their conversations.
Both players were starters for their teams. They each have some experience in the NBA with the Pacers this season — Wong appeared in the In-Season Tournament title game while Tshiebwe has seven pro outings in total.
Wong handled the ball often as the point guard for Team Strictly, and he ended up wiggling free for six shot attempts. The rookie guard finished with four points, three rebounds, and one assist.
Tshiebwe, who participated in the Rising Stars outing two nights ago, was the starting center for EYL. He only attempted one shot in this game and he missed it, but his team rolled to a win. Tshiebwe finished with four rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.
"It's been a great experience," Wong said of the game and his All-Star weekend in general.
Indiana Pacers guard Isaiah Wong signs autographs after playing in the 2024 G League Next Up game at 2024 NBA All-Star weekend. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Tony East)
EYL and Tshiebwe were off to the title game, where they would face off with Team BallIsLife, who were led by Emoni Bates and Skal Labissiere in the first outing. There were several players with NBA experience on the hardwood.
Tshiebwe was as impactful as anyone in the game. EYL was +13 with the Pacers big man on the floor during the game, and they went on to win 30-21. Tshiebwe ended up hitting the free throw that sealed the victory.
"It's a great opportunity to just be here with all these great players," Wong said.
In the title game, Tshiebwe finished with four points, six rebounds, and two assists. He played well in the event, but former Pacers guard Trevelin Queen walked away with the MVP honor.
"Next Up Champs!" Tshiebwe said on the court after the game.
The Mad Ants coaching staff guided the teams, and several staffers and announcers for the franchise were involved in the event. It felt like an Indiana game in many ways with the action taking place in the Convention Center.
Fittingly, one of the Indiana players walked away with a win in the second-ever Next Up games.
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