The Greensboro Swarm are headed to the NBA G League Finals after capturing the Eastern Conference championship with a decisive 134-121 victory over the top-seeded Osceola Magic on Sunday at Silver Spurs Arena.
The Charlotte Hornets' affiliate dominated wire-to-wire, trailing for less than one minute total throughout their entire playoff run. The No. 2-seeded Swarm will now await the winner of the Western Conference finals between the South Bay Lakers and Stockton Kings.
Greensboro built leads as large as 19 points during the contest but had to withstand multiple comeback attempts from Osceola, including a fourth-quarter push that narrowed the gap to just four points with 6:31 remaining.
The Swarm's depth proved decisive as six players scored in double figures, led by Terrell Brown Jr.'s 24 points and six assists off the bench. First-round draft pick Liam McNeeley added 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists in the championship-clinching performance.
Greensboro's efficiency at the free throw line proved crucial, converting 17-of-20 attempts while capitalizing on Osceola's foul trouble throughout the game.
The Magic received spectacular individual performances despite the loss. Lester Quinones exploded for 40 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including seven three-pointers. Alex Morales contributed 29 points while controlling much of Osceola's offensive flow, particularly during their second-half comeback attempts. Colin Castleton recorded a massive double-double with 23 points and 18 rebounds.
Greensboro set the tone early by capitalizing on a sloppy start from both teams. The Swarm converted turnovers into transition opportunities, scoring 12 points in the paint during a 17-8 opening run.
The Swarm's second unit provided a crucial spark late in the first quarter. Center Josiah Allick blocked a Collin Castleton dunk attempt at the rim before immediately knocking down a right-wing three-pointer on the other end. This sequence fueled a 10-3 run to close the period, giving Greensboro a 36-26 lead after one quarter.
Greensboro's defensive pressure forced 10 Osceola turnovers in the opening frame, offsetting four Magic three-pointers with an 11-2 advantage at the free throw line.
Jaylen Sims reached double figures early in the second quarter, scoring back-to-back baskets to push the Swarm's lead to 15 just two minutes into the period. Greensboro extended its advantage to as many as 19 points while maintaining control throughout the first half.
Despite Castleton recording a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double by halftime, Osceola couldn't cut the deficit to single digits. The Swarm took a 73-59 lead into the break with four players already in double figures.
The Magic came out aggressively to start the second half, initiating their offense through Alex Morales who scored eight of Osceola's first 15 points. Greensboro weathered the storm with timely buckets from Terrell Brown Jr. and fended off 12 third-quarter points from Lester Quinones to maintain a 105-94 advantage entering the final period.
Osceola made one final push in the fourth quarter, with Quinones burying his seventh three-pointer to cut the game to single digits immediately. The Magic narrowed the margin to just four points before Brown Jr. answered with a clutch jump shot and Josiah Allick added two tip-ins to push the lead back to 10 and secure the victory.
Next up, the Greensboro Swarm will search for its first NBA G League Championship in franchise history. The best-of-three Finals will begin on April 8, with Game 2 and an if-necessary Game 3 scheduled for April 10 and 13 respectively. Greensboro will host Game 1 and Game 3 if necessary should Stockton win the Western Conference, or host Game 2 if South Bay advances.