Abmas scores 33, Stars beat Blue 137-126

Max Abmas scored 33 points and hit seven 3-pointers to lead the short-handed Salt Lake City Stars to a 137-126 victory over the Oklahoma City Blue on Thursday night at Maverik Center in Utah.

The Stars (10-13), playing with only eight active players, received contributions from their entire lineup. Sean East II complemented Abmas in the backcourt with 25 points and six assists. Dereon Seabron provided a spark off the bench, scoring 23 points. Matthew Cleveland recorded 21 points and eight rebounds, and center Steve Crowl finished with a career-high 11 points to go with eight boards. Justin Harmon was the fifth starter in double figures, adding 13 points.

Zhaire Smith led the Blue (7-15) with 26 points on 12-of-15 shooting. Chris Youngblood had 25 points and nine rebounds. Anthony Pritchard tallied 11 points and a game-high 13 assists, and Viktor Lakhin posted 11 points and 13 rebounds. Kyle Rose and Jabri Abdur-Rahim each scored 18 points off the bench, with Abdur-Rahim making four of his six 3-point attempts.

Salt Lake City led by as many as 20 points in the second half and withstood a late push from the Blue to secure the win. The two teams will meet again Friday night to complete the back-to-back series.

Up next: Both teams take to the road for away games Sunday. The Stars visit the Mexico City Capitanes at 5 p.m. ET, and the Blue face the Stockton Kings at 6 p.m. 

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