Shorthanded Jazz Battle, Fall To Nuggets In Denver
Dec 10, 2022, 9:22 PM | Updated: 10:08 pm
Talen Horton-Tucker of the Utah Jazz shoots against the Denver Nuggets (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The shorthanded Utah Jazz fell to the Denver Nuggets 115-110, dropping their second game in as many nights.
The Jazz were without Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, Mike Conley, Collin Sexton, and Simone Fontecchio, but pushed the Nuggets to the final minutes.
Nikola Jokic recorded a 31-point, 12-rebound, 14-assists triple-double, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 27 points to lead the Jazz.
First Quarter
The Jazz opened the game shooting 4-6 from three, but were scoreless inside the arc as the Nuggets jumped out to an 18-12 lead.
The first seven field goals for the Jazz were from behind the three-point line before Malik Beasley’s layup broke the streak.
ROOKI3 🏀💦#TakeNote #UTAvsDEN @BensHoopshttps://t.co/lfHES97Fbn
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 11, 2022
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored nine points to lead the Jazz and matched Nikola Jokic’s scoring total for the Nuggets.
After one the Jazz trailed Denver 28-26.
Second Quarter
Talen Horton-Tucker took over the scoring responsibilities in the second quarter pouring in six points on 3-5 shooting.
After starting 7-9 from three the Jazz missed their next ten in the first half and finished 9-23 to open the game.
.@KellyOlynyk ↗️ @WalkerKessler13 💪🏀 #TakeNote #UTAvsDEN @BensHoops https://t.co/77d9EELEjw
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 11, 2022
Alexander-Walker scored 18 points in the first half, setting a new personal best in a Jazz uniform.
The Nuggets closed the half on a 10-2 run and led the Jazz 61-52 at the break.
Third Quarter
The Jazz trimmed the Nuggets double-digit lead to two off of a 5-0 run from Malik Beasley, and a pair of three-point plays from Alexander-Walker and Horton-Tucker.
Beasley gave the Jazz an 81-80 lead with a go-ahead three with just under four minutes left in the quarter.
NAW on 🔥 in the Mile High City. #TakeNote #UTAvsDEN @BensHoops @NickeilAWhttps://t.co/6e8FARR9s3
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 11, 2022
Jamal Murray pushed his scoring total to 25 points while Jokic added 23 for the Nuggets. Alexander-Walker scored 21 while Beasley added 19 through three quarters.
After three the Jazz trailed the Nuggets 92-90.
Fourth Quarter
The Jazz took advantage of the Nuggets without Jokic on the floor, taking a 97-93 lead with Jokic off the floor.
When Jokic returned, the Nuggets retook the lead, but the Jazz made an effort to get into the paint and attack Denver’s interior defense.
.@WalkerKessler13 with the 🛑.
#TakeNote #UTAvsDEN @BensHoopshttps://t.co/Pr88ypNWHv— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 11, 2022
The Jazz tied the game at 110 but went scoreless in their final four possessions.
The Nuggets handed the Jazz their second straight loss with a 115-110 victory.
