Horton-Tucker, Markkanen Pace Utah Jazz During Inconsistent First Half
Nov 19, 2023, 7:11 PM
Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Utah Jazz shoots against Kawhi Leonard #2 and Robert Covington #23 of the LA Clippers (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Talen Horton-Tucker poured in 18 points in 16 minutes while Lauri Markkanen added 19 points and six rebounds but the Utah Jazz trail Phoenix 61-56 after two quarters.
The Jazz (4-8) are hosting the Phoenix Suns (6-6) at the Delta Center on Sunday, November 19.
RELATED: Lauri Markkanen Making Highlight Plays On Both Ends Against Phoenix Suns
👜T💼H🛍️T🎒#TakeNote | @thortontucker pic.twitter.com/7nJJ5gcJvZ
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 20, 2023
Horton-Tucker led a Jazz bench that scored 23 points, contributing at every level in his time on the floor.
THT finished the half making 7-of-12 shots, including 3-of-6 triples for 18 points.
The Finnisher ⬇️ the moment ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bG0Olnw7Zk
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 20, 2023
2023 All-Star Lauri Markkanen was everywhere in the first half, stuffing the stat sheet in a battle with future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant. Markkanen made 9-of-13 shots and was plus-six in 18 minutes.
Taking advantage of his seven-foot frame, Markkanen added two steals and a pair of blocks in the half.
RELATED: Ochai Agbaji Blocked Shot Leads To Points As Jazz Battle Phoenix
Phoenix is shooting 53.2 percent as a team compared to 43.4 percent for the Jazz. Both teams have combined to make 11-of-37 three-point shots.
Jazz Sit At 2-1 In In-Season Tournament Play
The Jazz’s loss to the Suns was their first in In-Season Tournament play. They now sit a full game behind the 3-0 Los Angeles Lakers, who beat the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.
RELATED: Clarkson’s 37 Not Enough As Jazz Fall To Suns
The Lakers lead West Group A while the Jazz sit in second place with a record of 2-1.
The Suns are 1-1 in group play. The Trail Blazers are 1-2 and the Memphis Grizzlies have been eliminated with a 0-3 record.
JC: 37p | 3r | 5a | 1s | 5 3PM
Lauri: 21p | 2r | 1s | 2b
John: 15p | 14r | 1a | 2b
Keyonte: 15p | 3r | 6a | 1s 3 3PM
THT: 9p | 3r | 4a | 1b
Ochai: 8p | 5r | 3b
Collin: 8p | 4r | 4a | 2b
Simone: 8p | 1r#TakeNote | @LVT_USA pic.twitter.com/DAe0WrY4N8— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 18, 2023
The Jazz need a win and help to keep their In-Season Tournament hopes alive. Utah needs to beat the Lakers on Tuesday in Los Angeles. The Jazz will also need to win the point differential battle to lock up their spot in the round of eight.
There’s an outside chance at a wildcard berth for the Jazz even if they finish group play with a 2-2 record. However, it would require an improbable loss by the Suns.
Phoenix finishes In-Season Tournament play with games against Portland and Memphis. If they finish with a 3-1 record, that likely would push the Jazz to third place with a loss to the Lakers.
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Next Utah Jazz Broadcast
The Jazz continue the NBA In-Season Tournament when they take on the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, November 21. The game will be televised on NBATV and KJZZ and streamed on Jazz+. Listen to David Locke and Ron Boone on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
Find KSL Sports coverage of the Utah Jazz here.
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