Lumberjacks Silence Scorchers 116-102 Behind Maxwell's Masterclass

PHOENIX – The Portland Lumberjacks staged a dominant offensive performance, handing the Phoenix Scorchers a 116-102 defeat on their home court. In a game that saw momentum swings but a clear advantage for the visitors, Portland’s balanced attack and superior ball movement proved too much for Phoenix to overcome.

The Lumberjacks established their presence early, with Kian Maxwell orchestrating the offense and Florian Richter providing a strong inside presence. Portland stretched their lead to double digits in the second quarter, capitalizing on Phoenix turnovers and securing crucial offensive rebounds. Though the Scorchers, led by Adam Johnson’s all-around effort, managed to cut the deficit to single digits entering halftime, Portland responded with a renewed surge in the third quarter.

Maxwell was the catalyst for Portland’s success, dishing out assists and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Richter added a significant scoring punch, while Sita Devi chipped in with crucial plays. For Phoenix, Adam Johnson filled the stat sheet with 16 points, 6 assists, and a remarkable 5 blocks, showcasing his defensive impact. Elena Garcia also contributed with 12 points and timely defensive plays.

“We knew coming into Phoenix would be tough,” said Portland head coach Anya Sharma. “But our guys executed the game plan, shared the ball, and played with the kind of grit we expect. Kian was exceptional tonight.”

Adam Johnson acknowledged the challenge. “They’re a tough team, and we didn’t make enough shots when it mattered. We’ll learn from this and get better.”

Key Notes:

• Portland outrebounded Phoenix 56-47, including 16 offensive boards.
• The Lumberjacks dished out 30 assists compared to the Scorchers’ 26.
• Kian Maxwell led all scorers with 21 points and added 8 assists.
• Adam Johnson was a defensive force for Phoenix with 5 blocks and 4 steals.
• Portland shot 86.4% from the free-throw line compared to Phoenix’s 72.2%.