Rookie Benjamin “Benzo” Bernstein amassed 43 points and 20 assists while leading Wizards District Gaming to a 103-81 rout of Hornets Venom GT on Thursday in the NBA 2K League’s The Turn event.
Benzo, the top overall pick in this year’s NBA 2K League draft, sank 15 of 23 shots from the floor, including 13 of 18 from 3-point range.
The two remaining undefeated teams each picked up another win, as Cavs Legion GC downed Knicks Gaming 74-59 and Heat Check Gaming hammered NBL Oz Gaming 100-66.
Meanwhile, Mark David “MDS” Smith poured in 44 points while leading Hawks Talon GC to an 84-78 win over 76ers GT.
In other action on Thursday, Lakers Gaming topped Blazer5 Gaming 90-83, Warriors Gaming Squad defeated Jazz Gaming 77-69, Celtics Crossover Gaming edged Gen.G Tigers 73-70, T-Wolves Gaming nipped Mavs Gaming 57-53, Pistons GT thrashed Kings Guard Gaming 83-68, Grizz Gaming dumped DUX Infinitos 71-67, Pacers Gaming pushed past Bucks Gaming 62-55, and NetsGC got past Raptors Uprising GC 68-62.
Group play results will determine bracket seeding for The Turn, which carries a $160,000 prize pool.
The Turn is the second of three tournaments that lead up to the NBA 2K League 5v5 Playoffs that run June 26-29. Last month, Warriors Gaming Squad won The Tipoff. The Turn runs through June 15, and the final tournament, The Ticket, will be contested on June 18 and 22.
Group play for The Turn concludes Friday with 12 games:
–Jazz Gaming vs. Pistons GT
–Lakers Gaming vs. T-Wolves Gaming
–Hornets Venom GT vs. NBL Oz Gaming
–Blazer5 Gaming vs. Bucks Gaming
–Magic Gaming vs. 76ers GC
–Wizards District Gaming vs. Knicks Gaming
–Warriors Gaming Squad vs. Grizz Gaming
–Gen.G Tigers vs. NetsGC
–Mavs Gaming vs. Pacers Gaming
–Raptors Uprising GC vs. Celtics Crossover Gaming
–Kings Guard Gaming vs. DUX Infinitos
–Heat Check Gaming vs. Cavs Legion GC
NBA 2K League’s The Turn group-play standings
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Group 3
Pacers Gaming (4-1)
Mavs Gaming (3-2)
T-Wolves Gaming (3-2)
Bucks Gaming (2-2)
Blazer5 Gaming (2-3)
Lakers Gaming (1-4)
Group 4
Pistons GT (4-1)
Warriors Gaming Squad (3-1)
Kings Guard Gaming (3-2)
Grizz Gaming (2-3)
DUX Infinitos (1-4)
Jazz Gaming (1-4)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Group 1
Cavs Legion GC (5-0)
Heat Check Gaming (5-0)
Wizards District Gaming (4-2)
Knicks Gaming (2-3)
Hornets Venom GT (0-5)
NBL Oz Gaming (0-5)
Group 2
Celtics Crossover Gaming (4-1)
Hawks Talon GC (4-2)
76ers GC (3-2)
Magic Gaming (3-2)
Gen.G Tigers (2-3)
Raptors Uprising GC (2-3)
NetsGC (1-4)
–Field Level Media
