Undersized Jazz Struggle In 130-110 Loss To Clippers
Feb 8, 2025, 11:46 PM | Updated: 11:47 pm
Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The James Harden-led Los Angeles Clippers proved too much to handle for the shorthanded Utah Jazz in Saturday’s 130-110 blowout loss.
Harden recorded 23 points and 17 assists to lead LA, while the Jazz were led by Jordan Clarkson who scored 24 points.
Game Blog: Jazz Drop Second Straight In Loss To Clippers
Clippers Take Advantage Of Jazz Inexperienced Frontcourt
Though the Clippers shot an efficient 11-26 from the three-point line, they did the majority of their damage in the paint where they outscored the Jazz 78-42.
Playing without Walker Kessler, John Collins, and Lauri Markkanen, the Jazz were missing three critical frontcourt players, including their two best shot blockers, and the Clippers didn’t let them go unpunished.
LA shot 39-57 in the paint, led by Ivicia Zubac’s 13-16, 26-point performance.
FEED THE BIG FELLA 🤌🧑🍳
ZU: 20 PTS | 12 REB | 5 AST pic.twitter.com/8nFbI8yopd
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 9, 2025
The easy points at the basket were made worse by the Jazz’s 20 turnovers, leading to 24 points.
“That’s about as small a group as we can roll out, and the Clippers took advantage of it,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “Zubac in particular really hurt us on the interior.”
Without their top three frontcourt players, the Jazz turned to rookie Kyle Filipowski, and two-way players Micah Potter and Oscar Tsheibwe, all of whom competed well, but were outclassed by the Clippers veterans.
Filipowski recorded 13 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, but also picked up five fouls in 29 minutes.
The @utahjazz fall to the @laclippers 130-110 in a game that was not this lopsided.
Jazz trailed 103-101 with seven minutes left to play, but ran out of gas after playing last night. #takenote pic.twitter.com/1KWyXolrXJ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 9, 2025
Potter and Tsheibwe combined for 10 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in 33 minutes.
After sending Drew Eubanks to the Clippers at the trade deadline, the Jazz don’t have a true backup center on the roster, and surviving defensively in the paint without him will be a tall task.
When Kessler are Collins are out, as they were on Saturday night, it might be impossible.
KJ Martin Introduces Himself To Jazz Fans
Though he wasn’t in uniform, newly acquired KJ Martin joined his Jazz teammates in Los Angeles as the team faced off against the Clippers.
The Jazz landed Martin from the Detroit Pistons at the trade deadline in exchange for veteran guard Dennis Schroder.
“I’m from LA, so Utah is close to LA, so my family can come and watch me play,” Martin said, “So I’m super excited.”
Who is KJ Martin, the newest acquisition by the @utahjazz?#takenote https://t.co/TJJqAgoUuI
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 6, 2025
The newest Jazzman is the son of former number-one overall pick Kenyon Martin, but has carved out a name for himself in the NBA.
The forward is an elite-level athlete who has improved his three-point shooting, upping his efficiency to 38 percent in his fifth season in the NBA.
“I’m going to go out and compete every night. I’m gonna play at a high level. I’m gonna try to make my teammates better,” Martin said.
With Isaiah Collier earning more minutes each time he steps on the floor, the Jazz could use another high-flyer to run the floor and finish fast breaks.
Let’s get to know @kj__martin a little better 🎙️#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/qNcB01jcPL
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 9, 2025
At 24 years old, Martin is still a work in progress, and with a non-guaranteed contract next season, he’ll have to prove he’s worth of a roster spot.
But with a roster still in flux, and the team in need of high-efficiency scorers, the wing should get ample opportunity to prove his value.
“I like to get up and down the court, and they’re playing fast and being physical on defense, I think they’re pretty good,” Martin said of seeing his new team live for the first time.
Martin hopes to make his debut when the Jazz return home to face the Lakers and Clippers before the All-Star break.
Utah Jazz Next Broadcast
The Jazz will remain in Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Monday at 8:30 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.
