[POST GAME THREAD] Our Utah Jazz (29-39) lose to the Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) 114-104.

6 comments

1. GAME NOTES:

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   [Rest in Peace John Collins](https://x.com/ComplexSports/status/1769914389493117217?s=20). The baptizer has been baptized. I can’t lie that is an insane dunk, I’m just frustrated it happened against us lol

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   What a fun game! Welcome back Lauri!!! We had a great first quarter, and didn’t really bounce back offensively the rest of the game… Lots of ties, and lead changes this game after that first quarter.

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   Speaking of that first quarter, it was led by Keyonte Goerge. He had 10 points in that first quarter, was hitting on [nearly everything](https://x.com/JazzLead/status/1769899226140749892?s=20), and had this nice [floater off of a steal early in the game.](https://x.com/JazzLead/status/1769895269385302131?s=20) He then went the next two and a half-ish quarters scoreless, but he hit a 3 and layup in the fourth. He finished with 15 points on 6-12 shooting, 2-3 from 3, 1-1 from the line, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal. 6 turnovers though, but they were mainly mental mistakes like dribbling off his foot, or bad decisions when he was getting trapped. He did get hit by the ball weird on his hand in the fourth, and immediately went running down the tunnel in pain. Not a good sign, although he did remain in the game after a timeout.

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   Our best player tonight was Sexton off the bench. 24 points, 9-17 shooting, 5-8 from 3, 2 assists, and 4 turnovers, 2 of those turnovers came in the fourth. 4 straight games of at least 20 points though!! He has found a groove off the bench, although I do like when he plays off of Keyonte. I’m sure when Clarkson is back Sexton will be a starter again. The majority of his 3’s [were these catch-and-shoot 3’s,](https://x.com/JazzLead/status/1769916526466154924?s=20) i’m glad he was able to hit the open ones when given. Very solid game from Sexton.

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   Lauri! Welcome back! He took a minute to get going, but boy did he get going. Although his stats aren’t eye-popping, I thought this was an excellent game for him. 22 points on 8-16 shooting, 1-5 from 3, 5-5 from the line, 12 rebounds (3 offensive), 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, but 6 turnovers. [He had this big slam,](https://x.com/BasketBballer/status/1769914772634644636?s=20) this [tough bucket to end the quarter,](https://x.com/JazzLead/status/1769907217648771554?s=20) and hit [this 3 to start his game.](https://x.com/JazzLead/status/1769895001696416117?s=20) He looks pretty smooth when he isn’t sharing minutes with Kessler, or with Clarkson. It’ll be interesting to see how he comes back these last 15 or so games.

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   Taylor Hendricks got the start again at F, and was really good. 8 points, 3-6 shooting, 2-4 from 3, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block, but importantly only 1 foul in his minutes. [His one block was a BEAUT, Clark.](https://x.com/JazzLead/status/1769912126418948215?s=20) His only paint bucket [was this baseline slam.](https://x.com/BallTimee/status/1769907346833076354?s=20) I’m a big fan of what he’s doing on both ends, still just needs more confidence on offense though.

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   John Collins left the game after being evaluated for a concussion, so we should know soon whether or not he will miss time. He had 11 points, 5-9 shooting, 1-2 from the line, 6 rebounds, and 4 fouls in his 20 minutes. He was postered (unfortunately), but on the offensive end he did [throw down a tough alley-oop from Sexton.](https://x.com/JazzLead/status/1769897261226700887?s=20) This was a pretty solid game for John, his defense was alright, and his offense was as expected, no complaints. If he does miss time, it will be interesting to see what Hardy does with the lineup…

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   THT man. I just hate watching his minutes. 2-7 shooting, 7 points, 1-3 from 3, 2-3 from the line, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals in 19 minutes. But damn I cannot find any clips, but even Boler & Holly were talking about how he needs to pass more. His ISO was going nowhere, and he was throwing up duds at the rim after spiraling into the paint uncontrollably. If I find any clips, I’ll edit them in, but all 19 of his minutes were torturous. His tunnel vision is terrible.

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   Kira Lewis Jr got 7 deadass minutes, but put up donuts in the scoreboard. I was surprised to see him check into the game in the first half.

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   Brice Sensabaugh hit just one of his shots today. 3 points, 1-5 shooting, 1-3 from 3, 1 rebound, 3 assists. He played 15 minutes, but I think his shot not falling is hurting his confidence. He just needs one game here soon where he is able to get 15 points on 6-8 shooting or something like that.

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   Walker Kessler had a pretty good game, especially on the glass and defensively. 6 points, 2-3 shooting, 2-2 from the line (he’s improved recently!) 15 rebounds (6 offensive), 2 assists, 1 block. [Here’s a tough move off of an OREB.](https://x.com/JazzLead/status/1769916039981420982?s=20) Here’s [another putback.](https://x.com/UtahJazzClips/status/1769904127813783745?s=20) I’m glad he was more aggressive today, and played 28 minutes. Hopefully he’s able to propel this performance into a strong ending to the season.

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   Kris Dunn had a rough game. 5 points, 2-8 shooting, 1-5 from 3, 3 rebounds (all offensive though), 5 assists, and 0 turnovers. He had a [big OREB and assist out to Keyonte for a 3 late in the fourth,](https://x.com/JazzLead/status/1769923900291637533?s=20) but wasn’t able to get much of a game going for himself. He was getting cooked defensively in the fourth quarter, and Minnesota did a great job of neutralizing him with screens. Rough night for him in my eyes, although I do love his ability to move the ball.

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   Will Hardy had some interesting lineups in, although the main one I want to see, Keyonte-Sexton,Sensabaugh,Lauri,Hendricks, didn’t play together. I liked how he threw in Kira Lewis Jr to try to shake things up, but ultimately he led with THT for too long, especially in the fourth when it was still competitive. THT being in the game stalled out our offense badly, it will be interesting to see what he has to say about that considering last night he made a big show about “if you don’t pass, you don’t play”.

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   Overall we just couldn’t overcome Ant Edwards and our own offense. Our offense went stale after our blistering first quarter. We didn’t crack 25 points scored in a quarter besides that first quarter.

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   We also did a bad job of forcing turnovers in the fourth. Minnesota didn’t turn it over at all in the second half despite us forcing 9 in the first half. We did almost everything we needed to win, just couldn’t find a groove on either end as Ant torched us, and we couldn’t buy a bucket consistently.

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   We outrebounded them by 12, shot better from deep, limited them on fastbreak and from deep, but shot ourselves in the foot with those turnovers.

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   29-39.

2. I hate watching THT play. Reminds me of Al Jefferson, just a black hole on offense.

3. good game to watch, good loss. Not sure why McDaniels shot that at the end

4. So many lazy passes in the second half. 17 turnovers will tend to sink you, and sink us they did.

   I am once again asking us to find a real point guard for the future. That needs to be a priority going forward this offseason. Dunn’s our only one that’s been consistently decent, and he’s not a good enough scorer to be our answer at the 1.

5. I am happy that the poster happened on Collins and not Walker.

   Walker has played with a lack of confidence for a scary long time this season.

   I feel like I have ragged on him a lot in the game thread but man… I hope he bounces back.

6. Poor john Collins lmao