Warriors start regular season on 4-0 roll as Knox plays big

NBA G LEAGUE

Forward Kevin Knox II scored a career-high 39 points to help the Santa Cruz Warriors beat the Iowa Wolves in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday night. JOHN LEE — SANTA CRUZ WARRIORS FILE

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By Jim Seimas

jseimas@santacruzsentinel.com

The Santa Cruz Warriors were a sub-.500 team (7-9) in the Tip-Off Classic and Winter Showcase to open their 2024-25 campaign, but they’ve been unstoppable since the NBA G League regular season began with a clean slate.

Forward Kevin Knox II made six 3-pointers and scored a career-high 39 points, and the unbeaten Warriors knocked off the host Iowa Wolves 136-130 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Saturday night.

Knox, selected ninth overall by the New York Knicks in the 2018 NBA Draft, had seven attempts from beyond the arc. He also had six rebounds and two assists.Golden State two-way center Quinten Post had a career-high 29 points and 15 rebounds to earn his fourth consecutive double-double for Santa Cruz (4-0). The Warriors have totaled 30 or more assists in all four wins.

Only two other teams remain unbeaten: the Stockton Kings (3-0) and Rip City Remix (1-0).

Santa Cruz shot 61.7% (50 of 81) from the field and 47.1% (16 of 34) from beyond the arc. It outrebounded the Wolves 42-27.

Warriors guard Yuri Collins scored 17 points and dished out a career-high 16 assists for his second double-double in as many nights. Forwards Javan Johnson scored 15 points, and Blake Hinson scored 12 points.

Two-way guard Jaylen Clark had a team-high 32 points, seven rebounds, and five steals to lead the Wolves (1-3). Guard El Ellis had 23 points and seven assists, and backcourt mate Trevor Keels had 22 points and seven assists. Center Jesse Edwards had 18 points and six rebounds. Forward Nojel Eastern had13 points, four rebounds, and three steals.

The teams were tied 10 times and traded the lead 10 times before the Warriors took control.

Santa Cruz opened the fourth quarter with a 16-6 run to claim a 120-110 lead with 7:29 remaining. Knox, Collins, and Post accounted for all of the Warriors’ points (32) in the fourth quarter. They helped the Warriors build their largest lead, 129-113, with 4:10 remaining.

Iowa rallied to narrow the gap to six points, but the Warriors held on for the win.

Santa Cruz faces the Wolves again on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.