An unforgettable Week 5 is in the books, and it's one that could ultimately shape the outcome of the 2021 K1 Fall League. In a pair of big-time upset wins, the East flexed its muscles for what seemed like the first time this year, led by wins from the Heat and Bulls against the Spurs and the Lakers. Overall, the East won five games on Sunday, to strongly challenge the notion that the league's three best teams reside in the West. Catch up on all of the action, including a pair of unfortunate forfeits from the Nets, who had just three players on Sunday.
12:30 pm - Heat 65, Spurs 48
The Spurs entered their matchup against the Heat on a four-game winning streak, averaging more than 80 points per game. An incredbly stout performance by the Heat defense, thanks to a stifling 2-3 zone, was enough to get the Spurs out of sorts, and pull off the biggest upset of the K1 season in a 65-48 win. For the Spurs, who had six players on their roster averaging double digits coming into the game, only three players were able to crack that mark. The Heat held the Spurs to just 18% (4/22) from three point land, and played the Spurs even on the glass, despite being heavily undersized. Terrell Hendrix and Alonzo King were fantastic, each scoring 20 points to lead all scorers. Octavius Jefferson played a huge role as well, scoring nine points and grabbing eleven rebounds. Ryan Kvasnicka had 13 points, Ray Lawrence had 12 points, and Chris Green had 10 points for the Spurs. Trey Johnson impressed on the inside with seven blocks, a season high. Another key statistic was the Heat's ability to force turnovers, winning the steals battle 12-3. With the win, the Heat improve to 3-2 in a crowded East division. They have their first doubleheader of the year next Sunday at 4:30 pm against the Celtics (2-4) and 5:30 pm against the Suns (0-5). The Spurs fall to 4-2 and have a matchup with the streaking Bulls (3-2) next week at 1:30 pm.
1:30 pm - Bulls 69, Lakers 59
In a matchup of two very talented teams, the Bulls proved to the rest of the K1 League that they are for real, with an efficient performance on the offensive end of the court in a 69-59 win over the Lakers. Despite dropping games in Week 2 and Week 3, the Bulls have bounced back to win two straight, and have done so in impressive fashion against two elite teams in the Heat and Lakers. The Bulls scored early and often, jumping out to a 43-27 lead at the half, before the Lakers cut the game to seven points. Seth Johnson had 27 points and nine rebounds, while Benito Munoz continued his impressive play with 26 points. He provided a huge spark off the bench in the second half when the Lakers had cut the game to a seven point lead. Captain Bobby Crivokapich also had twelve rebounds for the Bulls. For the Lakers, Quon Shaw had 19 points and Tone Brooks had 13 points. Andre Robertson Jr. and CJ Link each had 10 points. For the second consecutive week, the absence of LJ Harris was notable for the Lakers, who will hope to have him back against the Warriors in Week 6. The Bulls improve to 3-2 with the win and will take on the Spurs (4-2) next week at 1:30 pm in another tough matchup. The Lakers fall to 5-2 and will have a massive matchup with the Warriors (5-1) next Sunday at 2:30 pm as they look to bounce back in the Week 6 game of the week.
2:30 pm - Warriors 95, Suns 37
Following back-to-back upsets in the day's first two games among the Big 3 in the West Division, the Warriors made sure the outcome of their game was never in doubt, dominating in a 95-37 win against the Suns. Otis Houston was the story of the game, single handedly outscoring the Suns roster, in a 41-point performance. Not only is Houston the second player ever to break the 40-point mark in a K1 League Game (Quon Shaw had 42 points a week ago in the Lakers win against the Suns), but he was remarkably efficient in doing so. Houston shot 16/26 from the field, and also pulled down 12 rebounds, along the way to a career performance. Sammie Hines had 18 points of his own, and Jared Harris had 11 points. Latrell Tidwell had a stellar game of his own, grabbing a whopping 20 rebounds, dishing out five assists, and recording three steals, The Suns were led by Michael Lonergan Jr. who had 13 points. With the loss, the Suns fall to 0-5, and will take on the Heat (3-2) next week at 5:30 pm. The Warriors improve to a league-best 5-1 and will take on the Lakers (5-2) in the Week 6 game of the week matchup at 2:30 pm.
3:30 pm - Celtics defeated Nets by forfeit
The Celtics improved to 2-4 as the Nets were forced to forfeit, having only three players. The Nets fall to 2-3.
4:30 pm - Bucks defeated Nets by forfeit
The Bucks improved to 4-1 as the Nets were forced to forfeit, having only three players. The Nets fall to 2-4.
5:30 pm - Bucks 71, Mavericks 51
Despite being without three of their best players, the Bucks showed their depth in a big way on Sunday night, rolling to a big win against the Mavericks in the day's final contest, while only having six players. Lavell McIntosh's league debut could not have been timelier, as he led all scorers with 22 points, propelling the Bucks to a 71-51 win. In what was a fairly low scoring game throughout, McIntosh provided the spark plug that the Bucks needed. Missing reigning player-of-the-year Kale Maupin for the third consecutive game, the Bucks were also forced to adjust as neither Darien Bosby nor Jaquan Boxley was available to suit up. Christian Straw had his best game of the year, scoring 19 points on 5/7 shooting from behind the long line. Caleb Johnson scored twelve points, and Jonathan Hentschel led the Bucks with eight rebounds and a season-high eight assists. For the Mavericks, it was yet another second half that doomed them, along with a forgettable day from behind the three-point line. When the dust had settled, the Mavericks had connected on just 2/27 from deep, a new league low. Despite scoring just 51 points, the Mavericks still had three players in double figures. Braijon Thomas had 16 points, Jamir Hinds had 14 points, and Jamari Washington had 13 points. The loss pushes the Mavericks to 0-6, who have been on the wrong end of a brutally difficult early season stretch of the schedule. They will look to pick up their first win next week in the 12:30 pm against the Nets (2-4). The pair of wins on the day puts the Bucks at 5-1, tied with the Warriors for the best record in the K1 League. The Bucks will take on the Celtics (2-4) next week at 3:30 pm.