The final four teams in the NBA 2K League’s The Ticket are set, and nobody had a bigger hand in getting his team to Washington than Tariq “Greens” Reed.
Greens capped a wild comeback for NetsGC on Tuesday, hitting a 3-pointer from just inside half court with half a second to play to give the Nets a 70-67 win over Hornets Venom GT and book their ticket to the nation’s capital.
The Ticket, which carries a $5,000 winner-take-all prize, is the final of three tournaments that lead up to the NBA 2K League 5v5 Playoffs that run June 26-29. Five teams from each conference have already advanced to the playoffs based on their performances in the previous two tournaments, The Tipoff and The Turn — both won by Warriors Gaming Squad.
On Tuesday, the remaining teams played a single-elimination online tournament to set the final two teams in each conference. Those four teams will now play for the final playoff spot in each conference on Saturday in Washington. The winner of each conference final will then play for The Ticket championship.
In the East, the Nets trailed 63-49 with 3 1/2 minutes to play before mounting a stunning comeback. Fittingly, Greens started the rally with a 3-pointer. That basket gave him 14 points at the time. The Nets erased the deficit entirely to make 65-65 with a minute to play. The teams then traded baskets in the final minute before Greens, following a missed Hornets layup, hit his winning basket.
Greens finished with 23 points and 12 assists. Dayne “OneWildWalnut” Downey added 20 points and 16 rebounds in the win.
In the other East semifinal, Gen.G Tigers had an easier go of it against 76ers GC, winning 68-52. Jaiden “gallow” Frank and Lawrence “LawRich” Mayberry-Jordan each scored 21 to lead the Tigers, with gallow adding 12 assists.
The West saw both semifinal games come down to the final minute, but in both instances the team with lead late held on to win.
In the last game to go final, Blazer5 Gaming scored with 26.5 seconds to play to close within two points of Kings Guard Gaming. Blazer5 did not foul and Kings Gaming ran the clock down to five seconds before missing a 3-point attempt. But Raymond “KIK6” Rodriguez grabbed the offensive rebound, was fouled and sank two free throws to put the 68-64 win on ice. KIK6 finished with game highs in points (20) and rebounds (12).
In the other West semi, DUX Infinitos trailed Lakers Gaming 67-64 in the final minute but were never able to get up a quality shot, looking confused repeatedly while trying to come up with a clean look. DUX Infinitos were finally fouled with 0.7 seconds left. Anthony “Gazulli” Gonzalez made the first free throw but missed the second on purpose. However, the clock ran out as the loose ball was not handled, giving the Lakers the win.
–Field Level Media