Clarkson Scores Career-High 17 First Quarter Points Against Pels
Dec 15, 2022, 7:46 PM
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) and Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) react as the Utah Jazz win an NBA game. (photo: Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
(photo: Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Jordan Clarkson was on fire Thursday night, scoring 17 first quarter points as the Jazz took a 27-25 lead after 12 minutes.
The Jazz are hosting the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Arena on Thursday, December 15.
how ‘bout 17 in the first quarter for @JordanClarksons 🤘
(yeah, that’s a career-high)#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/9mFbHLasQ5
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 16, 2022
Clarkson opened the game with a four-point play and didn’t stop there.
🔥 JC cookin' early 🔥 #TakeNote #NOPvsUTA @BensHoops https://t.co/gO9u0TXf04
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 16, 2022
Clarkson finished the period 6-0f-7 from the floor and 3-of-4 from long distance.
Not a one-trick pony, Clarkson added four rebounds an assist and a steal in the record setting first quarter.
Utah currently leads the Pelicans 36-34 with ten minutes remaining in the first half.
RELATED STORIES
Sexton, Fontecchio Out With Injuries
Collin Sexton will miss his fourth consecutive game with a hamstring injury suffered against the Golden State Warriors on December 7th.
Sexton is averaging 14.3 points and 3.0 assists in 27 games with the Jazz this season.
Per the @utahjazz:
Collin Sexton (right hamstring strain) was reevaluated yesterday, which included a follow up MRI. He is progressing as expected, will continue to increase on court work and is day to day.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) December 16, 2022
RELATED: Jazz Will Be Without Sexton, Fontecchio In Pelicans Rematch
Fontecchio was also injured in the Jazz win over the Warriors, despite scoring the game-winning basket.
let’s do it again 💜
⏰ 7 PM MT
📍 @vivintarena
📺 @ATTSportsNetRM
📻 @KSLSportsZone
🎟 https://t.co/smUzrRuS5A#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/wTi1ZVTuPa— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 15, 2022
The Italian rookie sprained is ankle early in the game but finished the night before being ruled out over past week.
Fontecchio is averaging 4.8 points and 1.3 rebounds while shooting 41 percent from the three-point line.
Will Hardy Praises Jazz Defense Against New Orleans
On Tuesday, the Jazz crushed the Pelicans 121-100, snapping their two-game losing streak.
RELATED: Healthier Jazz Crush West-Best New Orleans Pelicans
Jazz coach Will Hardy was quick to point out that the Jazz had their best defensive night of the year against the Pelicans, holding New Orleans to 39 percent shooting from the floor and just 4-27 from the three-point line.
“What stood out to me was how connected we were on the defensive end,” hardy said. “That was our best defensive game of the season as a team identifying the gameplan, helping each other, and rebounding as a team.”
Will Hardy on the @UtahJazz win over the @PelicansNBA.
"That's our best defensive game of the season."#TakeNote | @kslsports
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) December 14, 2022
The Pelicans had just one made three at halftime, and two through the first three quarters as the game quickly spiraled out of control.
“Being a good defensive team takes a ton of effort, it takes multiple efforts on every possession,” Hardy said. “That’s something we’ve been stressing in practice, and the guys are getting better and better.”
Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans game is televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.
