Jazz Fall To Pacers After Missed Markkanen Free Throws
Feb 3, 2025, 11:05 PM | Updated: Feb 4, 2025, 1:00 am
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) drives the ball down the court during an NBA game against the Indiana Pacers (Credit: Tess Crowley, Deseret News)
(Credit: Tess Crowley, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz fell to the Indiana Pacers 112-111 to drop to 11-37 on the season.
Jordan Clarkson and John Collins each scored 21 points for the Jazz while the Pacers were led by Pascal Siakam’s 22 points.
Game Blog: Pacers Outlast Jazz In Utah
Jazz Fail To Close In Loss To Pacers
The Jazz repeatedly struggled to hold onto leads against Indiana, building double-digit advantages, only to find the gap closed at the ends of quarters.
After leading by as much as 15 in the first quarter, the advantage was just eight entering the second period.
The Jazz’s 11-point second quarter lead was cut to four at halftime.
Their 11-point third-quarter lead was trimmed to five, and finally, their 12-point fourth quarter lead turned into a one-point loss.
Lauri Markkanen on the @utahjazz’s late game execution. #TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/BySE9DT2LQ
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 4, 2025
“The reality is you have to close, you have to make plays, you have to complete plays on both ends,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said.
Over the final 6:50 of the game, the Jazz were outscored 23-10 while shooting 4-14 from the floor, 1-5 from three, and 1-4 from the free-throw line.
The Jazz also turned the ball over three times in the final 4:31 of the fourth quarter.
With 17 seconds left and the Jazz trailing by two, Lauri Markkanen had a chance to tie the game at the free-throw line, but missed his first attempt, and was instructed to miss the second.
“They kind of got into our bodies at the end of the game, and we really didn’t get to our spots,” Markkanen said of the late-game struggles.
The Jazz committed a lane violation trying to grab the offensive rebound, ending their hopes for a victory.
Hardy, Collier Studying Tony Parker Together
One of the reasons Isaiah Collier has been moved into the starting lineup midway through his rookie season is his ability to control the pace of the game.
The guard has blazing speed that can help create easy baskets for the Jazz when he catches opposing teams sleeping.
“He’s figured out very quickly that he can dictate the tempo of the game and that his teammates are capable of running faster than they present at times,” Hardy joked. “If he pushes the pace, they will do everything in their power to keep up.”
While Collier’s speed is unique for the Jazz, it’s something Hardy has seen before when he coached Tony Parker with the San Antonio Spurs.
Wild shots. Tough handles. Clutch moments.
Watch the Top 10 Plays from Tony Parker’s storied NBA career 🎬
👀: The #23HoopClass enshrinement
📅: Saturday, August 12
📺: 8pm/et on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/xLRfpTVi96— NBA History (@NBAHistory) August 10, 2023
The French phenom was one of the quickest guards in the NBA during his tenure, and despite mediocre success as a three-point shooter, he carved out a Hall of Fame career.
“We’ve actually watched some film of Tony with Isaiah as it relates to his ability to put pressure on the paint and not necessarily always have to get all the way to the rim,” Hardy said.
Early in the season, Collier would attack the basket but get so close to the basket that he’d get swallowed up by bigger defenders.
Parker, who stood just 6-foot-2, helped lead the Spurs to four NBA championships by learning where on the floor he could get shots off.
“He’s shot a few more of those little floaters, which he’s been working a lot on,” Hardy said. “It’s also helped him make some of those passing decisions in that area of the court.”
Against Indiana, Collier recorded 11 points and 10 assists in 32 minutes on the floor.
Keyonte George Excited To Have Jalen Hood-Schifino On Jazz
The Jazz officially announced that Jalen Hood-Schifino had joined the roster mid-way through the first quarter of Monday’s game.
The guard was not in uniform for the Jazz but could join the team in the coming days.
While he’s a relative unknown to most fans, fellow 2023 draftee Keyonte George has known Hood-Schifino since high school.
“I first met him in North Carolina at a CP3 camp, and we kind of just knew each other from then on,” George said.
We interrupt the game to welcome Jalen to Utah 🏔️💜
📓 https://t.co/V6ezhcUFk5#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/YTyYNh30RK
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 4, 2025
Related: Hood-Schifino Traded To Jazz In Doncic, Lakers Blockbuster
The two faced off against one another as seniors in high school, and again throughout the pre-draft process.
“I wouldn’t say we’re tight, but when he gets in the building, it’s going to be a great relationship,” George said.
George was the 16th overall pick to the Jazz in the 2023 draft, while Hood-Schifino was picked 17th by the Lakers.
“Tough guard, he can score at all three levels,” George said of his newest Jazz teammate. “It’s going to be fun to have him in the building.”
George nearly recorded a triple-double against Indiana, scoring 16 points, dishing out 11 assists, and grabbing eight rebounds.
Utah Jazz’s Next Broadcast
The Jazz will host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday at 7 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
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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.
