Jazz Rookie Ochai Agbaji Knocks Down Three Against Nuggets
Dec 10, 2022, 7:41 PM
The Utah Jazz's Ochai Agbaji (30) catches a rebound while the Memphis Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman (2) falls down during an NBA game in Salt Lake City on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022. The Jazz won 121-105. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz Ochai Agbaji connected from three-point range during the opening minutes of Utah’s road game against the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets hosted the Jazz at Ball Arena on Saturday, December 10.
With 3:50 left in the first quarter, Nickeil Alexander-Walker fed the ball to Agbaji. The rookie let loose on a 23-foot jump shot that sailed through the cylinder for his first points of the night.
"That's another three. Knock it down, Ochai!"@JordanClarksons loves the splash from the rook 🤩#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/7Cqt0xhRub
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 11, 2022
At the end of the first 12 minutes of game time, the Nuggets owned a 28-26 advantage.
Agbaji had three points on 1-4 shooting, including 1-2 from distance. He added one rebound and posted a plus-four rating in his first seven minutes of action.
This season, the Kansas product is averaging 3.0 points per game on 52.2 percent shooting, including 25.0 percent from downtown. He also averages 1.3 rebounds, 0.1 assists, and 0.1 steals in 8.4 minutes per contest.
Ochai Agbaji has made two corner threes now in the last two games.
That's going to be a huge part of how successful he can be in the NBA because the size and the athleticism are there.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) December 11, 2022
Utah’s game against Denver is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.
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Jazz vs. Nuggets
The Jazz face a difficult turnaround as they hop on a plane and travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets on Saturday night.
The Nuggets are coming off a thrilling 121-120 victory over the Trail Blazers on Thursday night in Portland.
Jamal Murray hit a clutch three-pointer with 0.9 seconds left over Jerami Grant to give the Nuggets the victory.
The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Denver which has struggled over the last month.
LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz are on the road for a quick trip against the @nuggets on the @KSLSportsZone and https://t.co/4kU961UAvR.#TakeNote https://t.co/U5GigSQtgT pic.twitter.com/Uk7Ju7yjaB
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 11, 2022
After opening the season 8-3, the Nuggets are just 7-7 since November 11.
Murray is listed as probable for Saturday’s game against the Jazz due to a left knee contusion.
The All-Star guard is coming off a torn ACL and was slow to find his rhythm to open the season. However, Murray has scored 20 points or more in seven of the Nuggets’ last ten games while shooting 42 percent from the floor and 36 percent from the three-point line.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic has continued his run of MVP level through the first third of the season for Denver. The superstar leads the Nuggets in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals at 23.5 points, 10.0 boards, 8.9 dimes, and 1.2 steals.
The Jazz represents the first game in an advantageous stretch for the Nuggets who will play six of their next seven games at home concluding with a matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Christmas Day.
