Jazz Stun Timberwolves 117-116 With Enormous Third Quarter Run
Feb 28, 2025, 11:10 PM | Updated: 11:20 pm
Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) reacts after a foul during an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves (Credit: Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
(Credit: Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz downed the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-116 after a wild second half in Salt Lake City.
The Jazz trailed by 11 at the half, outscored the Timberwolves 27-4 to open the third quarter, but needed a Walker Kessler dunk with seven seconds left in the fourth quarter to take the lead for good.
Donte DiVincenzo had a chance to win the game for the Timberwolves, but his layup attempt was stifled by John Collins to give the Jazz the victory.
Donte DiVincenzo should have pulled up for the 15-footer.
I thought it was a foul live, but that’s pretty good verticality from the Jazz
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 1, 2025
Isaiah Collier Running Out Of First Impressions
By all accounts, Isaiah Collier has exceeded expectations as a rookie this season.
The guard has been the Jazz’s go-to starter at point guard since January 5 and has averaged 10.8 points and 8.6 assists over the 25-game stretch.
Collier has caught opposing teams off guard with his speed and playmaking rookie, ranking sixth in the NBA in assists per game since moving into the starting lineup.
“He’s going through the natural rookie progression early on,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “People have assumptions about you, but there’s not enough data to back it up.”
He’s quickly running out of teams to surprise.
Isaiah’s dropping dimes like we’ve never seen from a rook 🤩
After a career-high 14 assists, it’s only right we run back every. last. one 🪙☝️#PlayerHighlights presented by @ZionsBank pic.twitter.com/qoULQAQvrg
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 1, 2025
After facing the Timberwolves on Friday, the guard has faced every team in the NBA except Boston, Detroit, Toronto, and Washington, all of whom will be checked off the list in the next six games.
With more data on the guard, teams have begun to defend the Jazz rookie differently.
“Isaiah has seen the players that are guarding him get a little bit bigger, and I think he’s seen the pickup points on him get a little bit further back,” Hardy added.
The pickup points are a result of both the guard’s poor shooting percentages (40 percent from the floor, and 25 percent from three) and his blazing speed.
Opposing teams are daring him to shoot the open three, and giving themselves a cushion to slow the speedy guard when he drives.
Entering Saturday’s matchup against the Timberwolves, Collier has made those teams pay.
“We show love in the locker room. That’s the biggest thing for us, staying together and coming out here to win games.”
After a career night, Zay gets the mic with @sportsiren for tonight’s #WalkoffInterview 🎤 pic.twitter.com/Y5wf1fWloS
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 1, 2025
Over his last seven games, the rookie has connected on 10-25 three-point attempts, good for 40 percent shooting on 3.5 attempts per game.
With his recent improvement as a shooter, Hardy wants to see him continue to get shots up.
“I do not in any way want to turn Isaiah into a player that doesn’t look at the basket when he gets the ball,” the coach said. “I think that’s the worst thing that could happen for him.”
Collier recorded 11 points, three rebounds, and a career-high 14 assists against the Timberwolves on 4-8 shooting.
KJ Martin’s Energy Is Contagious, Everywhere
In just five games, KJ Martin has made his impact felt throughout the Jazz organization.
On the court, the wing’s high-flying dunks have energized the crowd, including a colossal left-handed alley-oop to give the Jazz a five-point lead with just over five minutes left in the game.
“KJ is someone who just plays so well off of everybody, his energy on defense is contagious as well,” Hardy said.
DID YOU JUST SEE THAT⁉️⁉️ pic.twitter.com/ddTElEl2BL
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 1, 2025
Inside the locker room, he’s added a different dynamic to the team.
Martin, 24, is young enough to connect to the Jazz’s 20 and 21-year-olds. But with five NBA years under his belt, and a lifetime spent around the league watching his father Kenyon, he has a natural ability to identify with the team’s veterans.
After Friday’s win, Martin grabbed the attention of his teammates in the locker room by asking about the Utah food scene, which quickly devolved into a debate among the roster about whether fry sauce is the same as thousand-island dressing.
(It’s not, but several players think it is.)
He’s also experienced the full spectrum that the NBA has to offer, breaking into the league on the 17-55 Houston Rockets, going through training camp with the 51-31 Los Angeles Clippers, before being traded to the always mercurial Philadelphia 76ers who went from a title contender last season to one of the most disappointing teams in the league this year, giving the wing perspective on the season that few players on the roster have earned.
The Jazz acquired Martin from the Detroit Pistons at the trade deadline in what was essentially a late-season tryout, along with a second-round draft pick.
Through five games, he’s aced the audition and may have a chance to stick around long enough to learn the nuances of Utah’s favorite food condiment.
Of Note
- John Collins led the Jazz with 29 points and 12 rebounds in his return from a three-game absence.
- The Timberwolves’ loss dropped them to ninth place in the West and would have to win two play-in tournament games to qualify for the playoffs if the regular season ended today.
- Former Jazz guard Mike Conley had three points on 1-5 shooting and was a team-worst -16 in 24 minutes for the Wolves.
- Rookie Cody Williams tied a career-high with three three-pointers.
Utah Jazz Next Broadcast
The Jazz will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday at 6 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.
