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March 18, 2025

Skyforce making push for spot in NBA G League playoffs

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The NBA G League regular season is nearing the finish line and the Sioux Falls Skyforce is in the mix for a playoff spot.

The Sioux Falls Skyforce are hitting their stride in the final weeks of the NBA G League regular season, having won three straight games. They’re currently eighth in the Western Conference, where only six teams will make the playoffs, but are just three games out of first place.

“One win can change our direction, one loss can change our direction which way we go, so every game is important. We’re watching the scoreboard for all the other teams and hoping we can vault our way up into the playoffs here soon,” Skyforce President Mike Heineman said.

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Mike Heineman is the president of the Skyforce and says while currently on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, he believes this team controls its own destiny.

“We have tons of talent right now, we’ve got six guys on our team that have spent time in the NBA over the last 12 months, so we have the talent and if we do what we’re supposed to do we’ll be just fine,” Heineman said.

A number of notable NBA players have spent time in the G League. This week, all eyes have been on Bronny James — LeBron’s son — wondering if he’d join the South Bay Lakers in Sioux Falls.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think he’s coming. Obviously, we were hoping he would but probably better for us on the floor if he’s not here,” Heineman said.

“We’ve had NBA guys here all season, their last name isn’t James, which is unfortunate, but the talent level has never been greater,” Sanford Sports Vice President of Operations Jesse Smith said.

Jesse Smith is the vice president of operations at Sanford Sports.

“We’ve got first round draft picks, we’ve got guys with NBA experience, it’s really become a developmental tool for the NBA teams to use and it’s been awesome to see that level of talent here night in and night out,” Smith said.

And the Skyforce will play four of their final six games at the Sanford Pentagon, where they haven’t lost since January.

“We want to see big crowds, we want to help cheer them on and get them into the playoffs,” Smith said.

“We’re playing high level basketball right now, so if fans want to see good basketball this will be the place to be,” Heineman said.

The Skyforce will host the South Bay Lakers at 6:30 tomorrow night, and at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.

The NBA G League regular season ends March 29th, and the playoffs begin April 1st.