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"It Was A Team Win" | Clarkson And Sexton Spark Utah In Win Over The Clippers

Ryan Kostecka
Digital Content Writer

Following their loss on Monday night, Jazz head coach Will Hardy preached about his team’s need to play for 48 minutes.

Message received.

Utah played its most complete game in the past week and a half, taking down the LA Clippers 125-112 on Wednesday night.

"A lot of guys participated tonight,” Hardy said. “I thought Jarred’s (Vanderbilt) energy in the second half, he and Collin (Sexton) really energy sparked us. … I thought JC (Jordan Clarkson) was really good for us, playing through some foul trouble. It was a team win, and I’m really proud of the guys.”

It was good to see the Jazz battle through some adversity on Wednesday as the Clippers refused to go away. Utah lost a double-digit lead in the first half, rallied to take control in the third, and then put the game away with a nice run in the fourth.

“I want to give a lot of credit to the team for sticking with it,” Hardy said. “They (Clippers) threw a big punch in the second quarter, and our guys came out at half-time with energy. It’s been a tough last couple games, and they (Jazz) haven’t wavered in their belief and togetherness. … They’ve just tried to get better.”

Before Jordan Clarkson began his pregame warmup, he emerged from the locker room with a different vibe. Usually laughing and full of energy, Clarkson took his regular spot in front of the free throw line and looked stoic and focused.

Apparently, he was all of it.

After his worst shooting performance of the month on Monday, Clarkson rebounded with one of his best games of the season. He was dominant all night, finishing with 33 points, five assists, and four rebounds. He shot 10-for-18 from the field, 5-for-9 from beyond the arc, and 7-of-9 from the free throw line, helping spark numerous Utah runs with his shooting and ability to create for his teammates.

For Collin Sexton, he continues to adjust to life in the starting lineup with Mike Conley out — and it all came together on Wednesday night.

Sexton finished with 21 points, six assists, and six rebounds, shooting 8-of-14 from the floor and 4-of-5 from the free throw line. He was particularly electric in the open court, pushing the tempo when the Jazz had numbers against the tired Clippers.

His decision-making as the team’s point guard continues to be a work in progress, but it’s definitely improving. He’s had 5+ assists in his last five games, averaging 6.0 during that span.

It was another hot start for Lauri Markkanen, scoring 10 of Utah’s first 12 points to help the Jazz jump out to a six-point lead. The Clippers would respond and cut the deficit to two, but three-pointers by Clarkson and Malik Beasley gave Utah a 20-14 lead midway through.

After LA responded with another mini run, cutting the deficit to three, Utah had an answer. Clarkson scored five straight points while three-pointers from Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Simone Fontecchio helped the Jazz to a 12-3 run and an eventual 35-26 lead after one.

The second quarter saw the Clippers respond behind the play of Reggie Jackson and John Wall. They helped lead LA on a 12-0 run to take a 45-43 lead midway through the second.

Clarkson answered for the Jazz with eight straight points, giving them a 56-51 lead with just over three to play. Aided by seven consecutive points from Wall, Utah went into the half trailing 60-58.

After the teams exchanged buckets to begin the quarter, the Jazz started to settle in and attack the rim, putting immense pressure on the Clippers.

Trailing by two, Sexton scored five straight points to ignite an 18-4 run — punctuated by a Markkanen three-pointer as the Jazz seized control. The Clippers would respond again, trimming their 14-point deficit to seven before a Walker Kessler dunk gave Utah a 94-85 advantage heading to the fourth.

LA refused to go away, starting the fourth quarter with a quick 7-2 run and forcing a Hardy timeout just over a minute in. With their lead sitting at three a few minutes later, Sexton and Clarkson ignited a 13-2 run as Utah took a 111-97 lead at the midway point of the fourth.

The Jazz closed out the Clippers the rest of the way, not allowing a late comeback attempt as they buckled down on defense and rebounded the ball well on both ends.

Markkanen finished with an efficient 18 points and eight rebounds, while Kelly Olynyk chipped in 12 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. Jarred Vanderbilt was sensational on both ends, finishing with 14 points and 11 rebounds (six offensive).

Kessler added five points, four rebounds, and four blocks off the bench.

Utah will continue to get rest before playing another back-to-back, starting on Friday against the upstart Pacers. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

“Looking forward to them taking care of their bodies and getting back to it on Friday,” Hardy said.