G League Showcase: Rio Grande Valley Vipers 116-105 Salt Lake City Stars In a late-season G League clash, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers defended their home court with a solid 116-105 victory over the visiting Salt Lake City Stars. The win was a crucial one for the Vipers' playoff positioning, as they pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure a double-digit triumph. The Stars kept the game competitive through three periods but ultimately couldn't contain the Vipers' offensive firepower down the stretch. The game started at a brisk pace, with both teams trading baskets in an up-tempo first quarter. The Vipers established a slight edge early, led by their backcourt's penetration and kick-out passes for open three-pointers. Salt Lake City responded with a strong second quarter, using their size inside to claw back and even take a brief lead before halftime. The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to build a lead larger than five points. The decisive run came midway through the final period. The Vipers ramped up their defensive pressure, forcing several turnovers that led to easy transition buckets, sparking a 12-2 run that put the game out of reach for the Stars. A key focus point was the battle on the boards, where Rio Grande Valley managed to limit Salt Lake City's second-chance opportunities in the crucial fourth quarter. The Vipers' bench also provided a significant spark, outscoring their counterparts and providing the energy that fueled the final push. For the Stars, a standout performance from their leading scorer kept them in the hunt, but a lack of secondary scoring options in the clutch proved costly. This result tightened the standings in the Western Conference, with the Vipers gaining ground on the teams above them. The loss was a setback for the Stars' hopes of securing a favorable seed for the upcoming G League playoffs. Vipers head coach praised his team's defensive commitment in the fourth, stating, "We finally strung together the stops we needed and turned them into points. That's our identity." The Stars' coach pointed to the turnover differential, saying, "You can't give a team like that extra possessions and expect to win. We got a little careless with the ball when it mattered most." The starting lineups featured the Vipers' usual core of assignees and veterans, while the Stars countered with their own mix of NBA prospects and G League stalwarts, but the home team's depth and late-game execution made th