Heading into his first season as head coach, Will Hardy knew there were bound to be growing pains for the Utah Jazz.
After all, just three of Utah’s top 10 rotation players returned this season. Add in 14 new players and the writing was on the wall about the potential ups-and-downs the Jazz would face this season.
But Hardy’s message through the trials and tribulations has always been simple — “play hard.” And that’s what Utah did on Tuesday night.
Despite trailing by 20 points entering the fourth quarter, Utah battled back to cut the deficit to six with just over three minutes to play. Unfortunately that was as close as they would get, falling 111-104 to San Antonio.
“We want to play a style of basketball that our fans are proud of,” Hardy said postgame. “We fought our way back (in the end), just couldn’t get over the hump.”
Going with a lineup consisting of Rudy Gay, Jared Butler, Simone Fontecchio, Walker Kessler and Talen Horton-Tucker, Utah played exactly how Hardy envisioned. The Jazz outscored San Antonio 31-18 in the final frame.
“I was really proud of that group,” Hardy said of the fourth quarter. “Their physicality, they continued to play through some mistakes, covered for each other on defense. It really bled into our offense. … They were able to find that rhythm of what we’re trying to do and what we’re working on in practice.”
Kessler, one of the key acquisitions in the Rudy Gobert trade, showed his valued skillset as the 7-foot rookie was a problem for the smaller Spurs. His ability to run the length of court, move his feet defensively, grab rebounds, and show soft hands on offense was a key component to the comeback.
“In the fourth quarter, he really found his identity and stuck to keeping it simple,” Hardy said of Kessler. “He played defense without fouling, protected the rim, rebound, and really ran. It’s a learning process for him. … He’ll watch film and continue to work.”
Kessler finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks in 25 minutes.
“I do recognize that I am a rookie, it is my third preseason game, and I didn’t get a summer league,” Kessler said. “I have to give myself some credit, but at the same time, do super well. … There’s a lot I can get better at.”
Despite the near-heroics in the end, the start of the game wasn’t what the Jazz were hoping for. Unable to contain San Antonio at the point of attack, Utah found itself down 39-26 after one.
Trailing by 19 midway through the second quarter, the Jazz went on an 11-2 run to keep the game from getting out of hand early. Jared Butler and Lauri Markkanen combined for nine of the points.
Utah was down 63-47 at the break.
The Spurs began the second half on fire, going on a 9-0 run to lead by 25. But the Jazz refused to wilt, ending the quarter on an 11-6 run to set the stage for the drama-filled final 12 minutes.
Markkanen led Utah with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Jordan Clarkson added 12 points and seven assists. Butler was sensational with 13 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Kelly Olynyk and Horton-Tucker added 10 points apiece.
The Jazz will wrap up their preseason slate when they face Dallas on Friday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.