Kyle Filipowski Makes History, Jazz Fall To Trail Blazers
Feb 24, 2025, 10:51 PM | Updated: 10:53 pm
Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski (22) attempts to block a shot by the Portland Trail Blazers (Credit: Brice Tucker, Deseret News)
(Credit: Brice Tucker, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Kyle Filipowski had the best game of his rookie season, but the Utah Jazz fell to the Portland Trail Blazers 114-112.
Filipowski scored 20 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out five assists, while Anfernee Simons led the Trail Blazers with 28 points.
Game Blog: Jazz Comeback Falls Short Against Trail Blazers
Kyle Filipowski Pulling Double-Duty
With John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, and Walker Kessler all missing Monday’s game, Kyle Filipowski was thrust into the team’s starting lineup.
While Filipowski has far exceeded expectations this season as a former second-round pick, the injuries in the frontcourt placed a lot of pressure on the rookie.
“Flip’s had to deal with a lot of change throughout the season,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “Not just in-game, but night-to-night, his role changes.”
At just under 6-foot-11, Filipowski has the height to play center in the NBA, but his 230-pound frame is light compared to Trail Blazers rookie Donovan Clingan who stands nearly 7-foot-2 and 280 pounds.
Kyle Filipowski joins Lamar Odom as the only rookies in NBA history to record at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists while shooting 100% on at least 4 three-point attempts.
He’s only the 12th rookie ever to go 20/10/5 with 4 made threes regardless of 3pt percentage.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 25, 2025
That can leave the first-year Jazzman stuck between two frontcourt positions.
“I think I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable throughout this year playing the five,” Filipowski said. “I mean, I did that in college. I played the four my first year and then the five my second year.”
When playing with Kessler, Filipowski will usually be guarded by a smaller defender. But when he starts at center, as he did against Portland, he faces a much bigger opponent.
That opens up the opportunity to create a mismatch, as he did against Clingan, drilling four three-pointers when the Portland center refused to leave the paint or to drive past him when he strays too far from the rim.
“He deserves a lot of credit because it’s a hard thing,” Hardy added. “We have a lot of guys who are trying to learn their responsibilities at one position, and Flip’s doing it at two.”
Cody Williams Showing Growth After All-Star Break
After what might have been his best performance in Saturday’s win over the Houston Rockets, Cody Williams had another strong outing against Portland recording eight points, eight rebounds, and five assists, and was a team-high +20 in 27 minutes.
The rookie has looked less timid in his last two outings as he’s continued to grow accustomed to the NBA game.
this is a cody williams appreciation tweet 🫶 pic.twitter.com/I8eIJaZhXm
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 25, 2025
“He’s been a little more reckless, which we need,” Hardy said. “He needs to go for it a little bit more in certain moments.”
Williams has a strong basketball IQ, but his ability to think the game can lead to moments where he over-analyzes the situation versus simply playing basketball.
“Sometimes he gets stuck because he wants to do everything technically correct, and there’s a lot of moments where we need to have Cody play off his instincts, because he has really, really good instincts,” Hardy concluded.
Cody Williams discussed the @utahjazz’s performance against Portland after his 8 point, 8 rebound, 5 assist night. #TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/iMNzkQ7Hqc
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 25, 2025
With 25 games left to play, Williams should see extended minutes most nights to close the regular season. After a quiet beginning to his rookie season, the lottery pick’s recent breakout has been a welcome sign.
Utah Jazz Next Broadcast
The Jazz will host the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday at 7 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
