Richter's Late Surge Lifts Lumberjacks Past Scorchers in Overtime Thriller, 114-108
Richter's clutch scoring, Maxwell's all-around brilliance cap Portland's road victory; Johnson's 32 a valiant effort for Phoenix
PHOENIX – The Portland Lumberjacks snatched a hard-fought victory from the Phoenix Scorchers on Tuesday night, prevailing 114-108 in a back-and-forth World Pro League contest that required overtime to decide.
The Scorchers, led by a stellar 32-point performance from Adam Johnson, battled valiantly but ultimately fell victim to a late surge by the Lumberjacks, who showcased superior efficiency and timely offensive explosions.
The game was a tense affair from the outset, with neither team able to establish a significant lead for long stretches. Phoenix appeared to gain momentum late in the fourth quarter, fueled by a trio of Adam Johnson three-pointers that electrified the home crowd. However, Portland responded with grit, with Florian Richter and Kian Maxwell proving instrumental in keeping the Lumberjacks within striking distance.
Richter, who finished with a game-high 23 points, found his rhythm in the crucial moments, hitting key baskets to force an extra period. Maxwell chipped in with a robust 20 points, complemented by 9 rebounds and 5 assists, demonstrating his impact on both ends of the floor. Lily Wong also provided a crucial offensive spark for Portland with 16 points.
“We knew this was going to be a tough game on the road,” said Lumberjacks coach Anya Sharma. “Phoenix is a talented team, and Adam Johnson was incredible tonight. But our guys dug deep, shared the ball, and made the big plays when we needed them.”
For the Scorchers, Johnson’s offensive masterpiece was a silver lining in the loss. Isla Chen added 16 points and 4 assists, while Mikael Svensson contributed 3 blocks defensively. Despite a respectable rebounding effort, Phoenix struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 25.6% from three-point range.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow when you play that hard and don’t get the win,” Johnson commented after the game. “We had our chances, but we have to learn from this and come back stronger.”
Key Notes:
- Adam Johnson scored a game-high 32 points for the Phoenix Scorchers.
- Florian Richter led the Portland Lumberjacks with 23 points.
- Kian Maxwell recorded a double-double with 20 points and 9 rebounds.
- Portland’s effective ball movement resulted in 23 assists and only 6 turnovers.
- Phoenix shot below 26% from three-point range (11-of-43).