Isaiah Collier Logs First Career Double-Double In Jazz Loss

SALT LAKE CITY – Rookie Isaiah Collier could prove to be one of the jewels of the 2024 NBA Draft, as the USC product shows he deserves to be in the rotation. Despite the loss to Charlotte, Collier continues to look like a draft steal as the Jazz build their next great team.

The Jazz (10-28) are hosting the Charlotte Hornets (8-28) at Delta Center on Wednesday, January 15.

at this rate his name 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 be Eudunks 🤔 pic.twitter.com/EaEdQ4V0Nc

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 16, 2025

Collier’s explosiveness, strength, and court vision were on full display one game after scoring a career-high 23 points with seven boards and seven assists in an overtime win over Brooklyn.

The 6’3, 210-pound bowling ball finished the night with 11 points and 10 assists in 26 minutes.

Collier averages 4.1 points and 4.2 assists in 30 games but shows signs of figuring things out. As his court vision develops, he has six or more assists in each of his past six games.

Losing is never fun, but in the long run, Collier’s development and a loss to NBA lottery challengers like the Hornets can provide a silver lining.

Jazz still short-handed despite Keyonte George’s return

Second-year guard Keyonte George is expected to return tonight against Charlotte after missing the past five games with left heel inflammation. Despite adding George to the rotation, Utah still figures to have a short bench with several key players unavailable.

Sparkplug guard Collin Sexton will miss tonight’s game for rest, while All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen remains out with lower back spasms. Former Sixth-Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson will miss his sixth straight game while he rehabs from left plantar fasciitis, and John Collins is out as he manages a left hip injury.

Jazz Injury Report:

*AVAILABLE – Keyonte George (left heel inflammation)

*AVAILABLE – Elijah Harkless (G League)

*AVAILABLE – Oscar Tshiebwe (G League)

OUT – Jordan Clarkson (left plantar fasciitis)

OUT – John Collins (left hip – injury management)

OUT – Taylor Hendricks…

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 15, 2025

George’s return adds 15.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists on 39.5 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent from deep. Expect George and rookie Isaiah Collier to get the bulk of point guard minutes tonight.

Collier played his best NBA game in a 112-111 overtime win over Brooklyn on January 12. The first-year guard out of USC knocked down three triples on his way to 23 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in 37 minutes.

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Tonight’s game against the Hornets is being televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, 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. 

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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball coverage here.

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