The Salt Lake City Stars season came to an end after a loss to the Austin Spurs in the NBA G League Western Conference semifinals.

“We came in as a team and said we have got to leave everything we have,” Stars center Oscar Tshiebwe said. “We have to empty out the tank and help this team. We fight together as a team and you can see the energy on the bench. I am proud of everybody.”

The final score was 123-113. The Stars narrowed the gap right before halftime. They trailed 61-58 headed to the break. The Spurs took over in the third quarter outscoring the Stars by 22 points and never looked back. 

Max Abrams scored 32 and Dereon Seabron pitched in another 30 to lead the Stars. Tshiebwe recorded his 38 double-double of the season with 10 points and 19 rebounds, but it was not enough to catch the talented Spurs team. 

“Everybody was on fire. This team is different. We all do things to help the team win, we are not worried about scoring. We focus on defense and have many weapons of offense. I tell my teammates to miss some so I can grab some rebounds, that is what I do. We have so many good players,” Tshiebwe said.

The loss closed out a successful season for the Stars. Jazz two-way guard Elijah Harkless was named 2024-25 Kia NBA G League Most Improved Player. 

Harkless is the first player in Salt Lake City Stars history to receive the high honor. He averaged 26.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists. He appeared in 10 games with the Jazz and was selected to participate in the G League Up Next Game during NBA all-star weekend earlier this year. 

The Stars finished the year with a 21-13 record in third place in the Western Conference. They defeated the Rio Grande Vipers 129-102 to advance to the conference semifinals. Tshiebwe had 14 points and 14 rebounds while fellow Jazz player Micah Porter added another 18 points to lead the team. 

Tshiebwe was undrafted out of Kentucky two years ago. He has spent those seasons in the G League working on his game. Many of his teammates call him the MVP on and off the court.

“I am a spiritual mentor for my team. I make sure everybody are good. I make sure I motivate them. They all have life things going on. I try to bring them back to live life. I try to do a lot of things to keep everybody smiling. I want to see everyone around me doing great. I am the first person back in the gym,” Tshiebwe said.

The Stars are the NBA’s G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz. The Stars play their home games at the Maverik Center in West Valley City. The G League is the NBA’s official minor league. Its purpose is to prepare players, coaches, officials, trainers and front office staff for the NBA. It also acts as a research and development laboratory for the league. λ