Clarkson Freezes Pelicans Defense With Pass Fake, Finish
Oct 11, 2021, 9:12 PM
Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 21, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Jordan Clarkson appeared to be in midseason form for the Utah Jazz after recording his first true highlight of the preseason against the New Orleans Pelicans.
In the Jazz home opener, the defending Sixth Man of the Year showed off his flashy style of play splitting two Pelicans defenders before faking a pass to Hassan Whiteside and finishing with a soft floater at the rim.
Clarkson finished the game with 17 points in 17 minutes off the bench for the Jazz, including 6-12 shooting from the floor and 3-6 from the three-point line.
Jordan Clarkson makes it look so easy sometimes. #TakeNote | @utahjazz pic.twitter.com/LLmhaoM4hB
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 12, 2021
Clarkson got into the paint where he froze Pelicans big man Willy Hernangomez with the pass fake twice before going up for the easy push shot.
The guard was forced to play extended minutes after reserve guard Trent Forrest went down in the first half with a head injury. Forrest slipped defensively after challenging a Pelicans shot at the rim.
Rookie draft pick Jared Butler also missed the game due to a non-Covid related illness.
Monday marked a breakout performance for Clarkson in the preseason. Prior to the team’s home opener, Clarkson was averaging 10 points on just 30 percent from the floor and 27 percent from the three-point line.
The Jazz will host their regular-season opener on October 20 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
