Isaiah Collier Drains Half-Court Buzzer-Beater

SALT LAKE CITY – Nothing was for the Utah Jazz in the second quarter until rookie Isaiah Collier beat the horn with a half-court heave, cutting the gap to 61-51.

The Jazz (14-42) host the Trail Blazers (24-33) at Delta Center on Monday, February 24. Utah is 95 games behind Portland and is squarely in the second-to-last position in the Western Conference.

RELATED: Utah Jazz Vs. Portland Trail Blazers Live Blog

NOW THAT’S HOW YOU END A HALF 🥳#TakeNote | @isaiahcollier04 pic.twitter.com/F8WIiZdfNE

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 25, 2025

Utah was 6-of-26 from the floor in the second period before Collier’s heroics.

With two seconds on the clock, the former USC guard grabbed a defensive rebound and took one step before rising for a running jumper from beyond mid-court. The ball hit the back iron before softly settling through the hoop.

Collier ended the half with five points, two rebounds, and two assists. Four Jazzmen scored eight points apiece in the opening half.

Jerami Grant knocked down five threes, while Anfernee Simons finished with 14 points and four assists.

Portland closed the half on an 18-3 run.

Utah Jazz Injury Report

OUT – Lauri Markkanen (back)

OUT – Walker Kessler (illness)

OUT – John Collins (back)

OUT – Collin Sexton (ankle)

OUT – Jordan Clarkson (foot)

OUT – Taylor Hendricks (leg)

Portland Trail Blazers Injury Report

OUT – DeAndre Ayton (calf)

OUT – Matisse Thybulle (ankle)

OUT – Robert Williams III (knee)

Rookies Kyle Filipowski and Cody Williams must step up tonight, with Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Walker Kessler sitting out. Point guard Collin Sexton is still working his way back from an ankle injury suffered before the All-Star break.

that game day feeling ◡̈ pic.twitter.com/vq24xKuFpi

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 24, 2025

With the quartet in street clothes, the Jazz need to replace more than 67 points, nearly 30 rebounds, and 10 assists from their production.

Expect a more burdensome load for Isaiah Collier, Keyonte George, and Brice Sensabuagh.

Trailblazers Look To Recapture Winning Momentum

The Trailblazers face the Jazz, who have lost four of their last five. However, they are trying to recapture the momentum they lost entering the All-Star break.

Before bookending the mid-season hiatus with four losses, Portland had won nine out of 10 games, inserting their name into the play-in tournament conversation.

more hoops 🤲 pic.twitter.com/uGQpL5koJR

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 24, 2025

Even with their recent struggles, the Trailblazers sit just 4.5 games back of the Sacramento Kings for the 10th seed in the West.

Jazz-Blazers Gameday Reading

• Updated Jazz Injury Report Before Hosting Trail Blazers

• Jazz Beat Rockets Led By Keyonte George’s 30 Point Night

• George, Collier, Martin Combine For Highlight Dunk

• Jazz Fall To Thunder In First Game After All-Star Break

• Williams Brothers Swap Jerseys After Jazz-Thunder Game

• Ryan Smith On Rebuild: “We’re Hoping To Do Something Different From Jazz History”

• Brice Sensabaugh Gets Engaged Over All-Star Break

• Next 10 Games Are Most Important Stretch Of Jazz Season

• Report: Jazz Sign Former Tennessee Guard To 10-Day Contract

• Jazz Mailbag: Should Team Have Kept Mitchell Or Gobert?

• Keyonte George Nails Three In All-Star Game With Rising Stars Squad

• Keyonte George Hits Rising Stars Championship Game-Winner

• John Stockton Reacts To Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl Shoutout

• Utah Jazz Mailbag: How Does 2025 Draft Impact Current Youth?

• Isaiah Collier Sets Utah Jazz History In First Half Against Suns

Follow the Utah Jazz with KSL Sports

Tonight’s game against the Trailblazers is being televised on KJZZ, streamed on SEG+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.

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. 

Find sports.ksl.com coverage of the Utah Jazz here.

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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X and Instagram at @bpreece24. 

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