Thunderbirds Bolt Past Chaos 110-90 in Game 3 Blowout; Ben Toy Dominates the Paint
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Arizona Thunderbirds stormed into MGM Action Arena and left a trail of destruction behind them, dismantling the Los Angeles Chaos 110-90 in Game 3 of the 2037 OBWL Finals. With the win, Arizona takes a commanding 3-0 series lead and silenced a stunned sellout crowd of 20,000.
While all eyes were on Arizona’s superstar Doyle Wagoner — who delivered another 30-point gem — it was center Ben Toy who stole the spotlight and earned Player of the Game honors. Toy was a relentless force in the paint, racking up 15 points, 14 rebounds (8 offensive), 3 blocks, and 2 steals in just 29 minutes. His physicality and hustle set the tone early and never let up.
“Ben was a beast tonight,” said Thunderbirds head coach Darius Hodnett. “He gave us second chances, protected the rim, and just outworked everyone. That’s championship basketball.”
Thunderbirds Turn Up the Heat
After a sluggish first quarter that saw them fall behind 33-23, the Thunderbirds flipped the switch. They outscored the Chaos 25-16 in the second quarter, then exploded for 62 points in the second half, including a 33-point fourth quarter that buried any hopes of a Chaos comeback.
Arizona shot 44% from the field and knocked down 10-of-26 from beyond the arc (38.5%). They also dominated the offensive glass, pulling down 16 offensive rebounds and matching the Chaos with 49 total boards. Their bench contributed 32 points, and the team dished out 18 assists while committing just 12 turnovers.
Wagoner continued his Finals rampage with 30 points on 13-of-23 shooting, adding 6 rebounds. John Bigler was lethal from deep, hitting 4-of-7 threes en route to 20 points. Michael Clarke and Lewis Edmond added key minutes off the bench, combining for 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Chaos Collapse After Hot Start
The Chaos came out firing, dropping 33 points in the first quarter behind strong play from Raymond Lindstrom and Brandon Wells. But their offense sputtered in the middle quarters, managing just 30 points combined in the second and third frames.
Lindstrom led the Chaos with 22 points and 8 rebounds, while Wells added 18 points and 4 assists. Octavio Watson provided a spark off the bench with 12 points in 16 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the team’s 15 turnovers and poor free throw shooting (62.5%).
Los Angeles also struggled from deep, hitting just 6-of-21 from three (28.6%) and failing to generate consistent ball movement or defensive stops.
“We lost our edge after the first quarter,” said Chaos coach Isaiah Booker. “They outworked us, plain and simple. We’ve got to regroup fast.”
Looking Ahead
Game 4 tips off tomorrow night, again in Los Angeles. The Chaos will need to find answers — and fast — if they hope to avoid being swept by a Thunderbirds team firing on all cylinders.
Player Grades
Arizona Thunderbirds
Ben Toy (C) – A+
Monster night: 15 points, 14 rebounds (8 offensive), 3 blocks, 2 steals. Set the tone physically.
Doyle Wagoner (PF) – A
Another 30-piece (30 pts, 13-23 FG). Quietly dominant. Finals average now 34.3 PPG.
John Bigler (SG) – A-
20 points, 4-of-7 from deep. Provided key scoring runs and floor spacing.
Michael Clarke (SG) – B+
9 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists. Did a little of everything off the bench.
Matthew Flint (SF) – B
7 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists. Solid all-around effort.
Lewis Edmond (SF) – B-
8 points, 6 rebounds. Hit two threes and played with energy.
Brian Palomino (C) – B-
8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks. Strong rim protection in limited minutes.
Wilbert Slayton (PG) – C+
5 points in 14 minutes. Efficient but limited impact.
Manuel Hendershot (PG) – C
6 points, 2 assists, 1-of-6 from three. Struggled with shooting and fouls.
Daniel Rickey (PF) – Inc.
Played just 2 minutes, scored 2 points.
Los Angeles Chaos
Raymond Lindstrom (C) – B+
22 points, 8 rebounds. Efficient and aggressive, but couldn’t stop Toy.
Brandon Wells (PG) – B
18 points, 4 assists. Solid offensive game, but defense lagged.
Octavio Watson (PG) – B
12 points in 16 minutes. Energetic and efficient off the bench.
Sam Braxton (PF) – B-
10 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Foul trouble limited his minutes.
Chris Melvin (SF) – C+
8 points, 8 rebounds. Active on the glass but inefficient shooting.
Raimundo Vazquez (SF) – C
6 points, 7 rebounds. Quiet night for the usually reliable forward.
Darrick Wood (SG) – C-
5 points on 2-of-8 shooting. Couldn’t find his rhythm.
Luke Nunez (PF) – D+
4 points on 1-of-9 shooting. Rough night offensively.
Robert Schrimsher (SG) – C
5 points, 2 steals in 13 minutes. Gave some hustle off the bench.
Franklin Almond (C) – D
Scoreless in 4 minutes. Two turnovers and two fouls.