ESports: T-Wolves Gaming capture 2019 NBA 2K League Championship title

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY – AUGUST 3: T-Wolves Gaming: 2019 NBA 2K champions during Game Five of the NBA 2K League Finals on August 3, 2019 at the NBA 2K Studio in Long Island City, New York. (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Tennie Sumague
EBC New York Bureau

NEW YORK (Eagle News) T-Wolves Gaming, an affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves, became the first expansion team to capture the NBA 2K League Championship title. Overcoming a three-hour technical delay, T-Wolves Gaming defeated the Philadelphia 76ers GC 52-35 in a decisive Game 5 Saturday night.

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY – AUGUST 3: 76ers GC Ethan “Radiant” White during Game Two of the NBA 2K League Finals on August 3, 2019 at the NBA 2K Studio in Long Island City, New York. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)

The much anticipated finals featured the hottest team of the league, T-Wolves Gaming, who entered the finals on an 11-game winning streak.  Philadelphia on the hand, had one of the best virtual players in the league on their team, Ethan “Radiant” White, a two-time TIPOFF MVP averaging 20 points and 11 assists this season.

The first two games resulted in blowouts with game 1 dominated by the T-Wolves, 71-36 while game 2 was taken by the 76ers GC, 70-23 . Minnesota started Game 3 on a 10-0 run until technical difficulties haltered play. Once play resumed, the level of competition brought in a deeper level of tenacity, trash-talking, and a raucous cheering section from T-Wolves Gaming fans.

Michael “BearDaBeast” Key’s 23 points and eight assists helped T-Wolves Gaming win game 3. T-Wolves Gaming were able to keep their positive momentum into Game 4, but squandered their 40-38 lead into the fourth quarter. The 76ers GC did not give up without a fight as Radiant showcased MVP-style numbers, posting 24 points and 10 assists to notch a win for Philadelphia and send the series to a decisive fifth game.

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY – AUGUST 3: LONG ISLAND CITY, NY -Michael “BearDaBeast” Key – NBA 2K League Finals MVP during Game Five of the NBA 2K League Finals on August 3, 2019 at the NBA 2K Studio in Long Island City, New York. (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)

In the final game, T-Wolves Gaming were able to out-best 76ers GC on defense and offense with a 52-35 victory. BearDaBeast finished with 23 points and six assists, earning him Finals MVP. The championship finals ended roughly around 1 am EST, nine-hours after the first game tipped-off.

“We fight, baby, we got heart,” said BearDaBeast. “That last game, that’s who we are. We were gonna get it out in the mud. Them boys play defense. [I said to them] ‘Y’all better give me some offense.’ That’s us. These dudes are good teammates [and] they trust me. I couldn’t have asked for a better Game 5. I ain’t have to do much with these dawgs on my team.”

One of four expansion teams to debut this year, T-Wolves Gaming began their season 3-6. In the process they fired their General Manager and Head Coach, traded away their best player, and turned their season around. Since their turnaround, T-Wolves finished their regular season 10-6 and swept the Kings Guard Gaming and Warriors Gaming Squad en route to the finals.

“Their resilience is what makes them special,” said T-Wolves Gaming Interim Coach, Justin Butler. “They’re a very close-knit group; everyone in the league knows that. We’re harder on each other than anyone else is. As soon as game time comes, we stick together. Everyone, one through five, has a job and executes it. It’s really about their resilience, chemistry, and the brotherhood that they have.”

(Eagle News Service)