Despite a valiant effort, Utah’s six-game winning streak ended on Thursday night.
In a back-and-forth affair that had Delta Center rocking for most of the night, the Jazz couldn’t get over the hump and fell 134-129 to Oklahoma City. With the loss, Utah sits at 22-21 on the year and in 9th place in the Western Conference.
“That was a hard-fought game against a really good team,” head coach Will Hardy said. “They (OKC) made some tough plays down the stretch — the turnaround Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) hit late in the game was a big shot — but that’s the breaks of the game. I feel like for the most part in the second half, our team was really tuned into what we were trying to do on both ends of the ball. … I was really proud of that effort.”
Here are five things to know following the loss.
1.) Something to Prove
Both teams entered Thursday night with something to prove.
Oklahoma City was coming off back-to-back tough losses to the Lakers and Clippers, and needed a win to get the vibes back before a massive showdown with the West’s one-seeded Minnesota on Saturday night.
The Jazz showed off their toughness and resilience throughout the night, taking every Thunder punch and refusing to go down. I know Hardy and the team don’t believe in moral victories, but Thursday showed that Utah can compete with the best in the West.
2.) Team Effort
Facing an angry Oklahoma City team on Thursday night, Utah knew it would take a monumental effort to take down the Thunder.
Collin Sexton was sensational on Thursday, leading five Jazz in double figures with 31 points while adding seven assists. He changed the game with his ability to beat his man off the dribble and force the Thunder to rotate. That’s where he showed his maturation, staying under control and finding the open man.
Despite facing double teams nearly every time he touched the ball, Lauri Markkanen finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists on another efficient night. John Collins was also very good, using his strength and athleticism to overpower Thunder center Chet Holmgren in the paint. Collins finished with 21 points and four rebounds.
Simone Fontecchio added 12 points and five rebounds, while Jordan Clarkson paced the bench unit with 18 points and five assists. Walker Kessler was excellent defensively, finishing with 11 rebounds, seven points, and three blocks.
“The biggest difference in the two halves for me was the attention to detail,” Hardy said. “I thought offensively, our team moved the ball well for the majority of the game. I have no gripes on that side of the ball. … I thought our team did a good job playing physical and getting to the free throw line.”
3.) Battle of the Boards
The battle between the Jazz and Thunder on Thursday featured one of the best rebounding teams in the league against one of the worst.
Utah entered the night No. 2 in total rebounds (46.2), No. 3 in offensive rebounds (12.8), and No. 7 in defensive rebounds (33.9). Likewise, Oklahoma City was No. 28 in total rebounds (41.1), No. 29 in offensive rebounds (8.4), and No. 16 in defensive rebounds (32.8)
If the Jazz were going to pull off the upset, they would have to do it on the glass.
On a night that featured a lot of offense and impressive shotmaking, the teams finished with 38 rebounds. The Jazz did hold the advantage on the offensive glass, outrebounding the Thunder 11-7 and outscoring them 26-15 in second-chance points.
4.) Second Quarter Surge
After a forgettable first quarter saw the Jazz trailing by 12, the opening minutes of the second weren’t much better.
Oklahoma City looked like one of the best teams in the league in the first 18 minutes, jumping out to a 58-43 lead and looking very close to blowing it open. But as this Jazz team has proven all season, they’re a resilient group that won’t go down without a fight.
Trailing by 14 with 4:24 remaining in the half, Utah mounted an 11-0 run to close the gap and bring Delta Center to life. Clarkson, Markkanen, and Collins did all the damage by combining for 11 points, but Sexton was instrumental as well. His ability to beat the Thunder at the point of attack, get into the paint, and deliver helped change the momentum of the game.
Although Oklahoma City would end the half with a three-pointer by Chet Holmgren, Utah’s ability to fight back was something to note.
“I thought the response from our team was great,” Hardy said. “It’s what we’ve talked about even in the games we were winning. … These games are long. You let your foot off the gas, and things can really go south in a moment. I don’t question the fight of our team. … I wouldn’t trade our team for anybody else.”
5.) JC Meets With Fan
There’s a reason Clarkson is beloved by Jazz Nation — and he showed why on Thursday night.
After a recent post went viral of a young Jazz fan not being able to take her sign into Monday’s game against the Pacers — the NBA prohibits signs bigger than 11”x17” being allowed into arenas — Clarkson made sure to give her and her family a memory they’ll cherish forever.
Clarkson provided the family tickets for Thursday’s showdown with Oklahoma City. He also went a step further, inviting them to sit courtside for warmups. Once finished with his own pregame warmups, Clarkson shared a special moment with the little girl and her parents.