Moore dunks and Smart buckets: The Ottawa BlackJacks win two in a row

The Ottawa BlackJacks won their second back-to-back game against the Niagara River Lions yesterday afternoon. 

The win was well credited to two returning veterans, Javonte Smart and Isaih Moore. 

Moore returns to the BlackJacks halfway through the season, after spending five games with the Edmonton Stingers. Moore has spent two previous seasons with the BlackJacks since his rookie year in 2024. 

“There's no place like home,” said Moore, who, despite being from Sumter, SC, now considers Ottawa to be a second home for him. “It's what I know in the summertime.”

Moore came back to the BlackJacks with a big performance, shooting 100 per cent from the field and ending the game with a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, nine of those being defensive rebounds. Being a powerhouse on both ends of the court, Moore could be the answer the BlackJacks have been looking for. 

“It’s just great to have him in that locker room,” said Head Coach Justin Mazzulla. “He will have tons of effort on the floor, his competitive spirit, his willingness to do whatever.” 

Moore and Smart know each other well. From playing together on the BlackJacks last year to playing against each other in the G League, they are familiar with each other's game. 

“It's the funniest conundrum, because we go from battling each other, seeing each other two, three times in the G League, and now, we got to put all that behind us and be teammates for a couple months,” said Moore. 

Moore has also played against Justin Harmon and Matthew Cleveland, who also play in the G League.

Being familiar with the way the G League players play was actually helpful for Moore, a big reason why he was able to get acquainted so quickly. 

“I know the familiar guys' games, and I know the new guys from playing them,” said Moore. “[So], it wasn't that hard to get me in tune with the plays.”

Smart, who currently holds the franchise record for points in a single game, surpassed Tyrell Tate in the leaderboard for second total franchise points ever. He is now second with 684, behind Deng Adel, who has 964. 

In only two seasons with the BlackJacks, Smart has cemented himself in history numerous times. As the franchise leader for points in a single game, and now second in all-time scoring, he will go down in history as one of the team’s best. 

“I'm truly proud and truly honoured to get past Tate,” said Smart. “I'll show him love, [...] but I'm happy to pass him.”

Smart said that he FaceTimes Tate quite often, and that those will be his exact words when he breaks the news to him. 

Yesterday’s game was a big one for Justin Mazzulla, as he had his brother and Head Coach of the Boston Celtics, Joe Mazzulla, in the crowd. Alongside Joe was his wife, Camai Mazzulla and Utah Jazz Head Coach Scott Morrison. 

“I'm just super grateful to have mentors and super grateful to have an extra set of eyes to see what I don't see and offer a perspective,” said Justin Mazzulla about coaching with them in the crowd. 

The BlackJacks will now head to Western Ontario to play the Brampton Honey Badgers and rematch the Niagara River Lions on their turf. 

The BlackJacks have only won one road game this season, in May, against the Montreal Alliance. Mazzulla says the key to winning these road games is continuing to be a tight-knit locker room. 

These road games will also be the BlackJacks' first look at the team without Harmon and Cleveland, who will be heading to the NBA Summer League.

“Just being able to know that the roles that the new guys are stepping into, they’re big shoes to fill, but also that doesn't mean they can't fill them,” said Justin Mazzulla.