Jazz Will Be Without Ingles, O’Neale Vs. Thunder

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz will be looking to start a new home win streak when they face the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight at Vivint Arena.

The Jazz snapped their franchise-record 24 straight home victories with a 125-121 loss on Monday night against the Washington Wizards.

The Thunder meanwhile are mired in a six-game losing streak as they’re tied for the seventh-worst record in the NBA at 20-33.

Jazz Look To Start New Home Win Streak Vs. Thunder

The Jazz were swept by the Wizards in the two teams’ season series last night after giving up a staggering 70 points in the first half. The Jazz trailed by as much as 19 in the fourth quarter, a lead they trimmed to just two points in the final minute of the game but were never able to get over the hump.

Donovan Mitchell scored 42 points for the Jazz becoming only the fourth player in franchise history to score at least 40 points in consecutive games along with “Pistol” Pete Maravich, Adrian Dantley, and Karl Malone. No Jazz player has scored 40 points in three consecutive games.

Jazz going to be short handed again tonight. Now Joe Ingles is out.

4/13 Jazz Injury Report

DOUBTFUL – Jordan Clarkson (right ankle sprain)

OUT – Joe Ingles (left knee soreness)

OUT – Royce O’Neale (rest)

OUT – Udoka Azubuike (right severe ankle sprain)

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 13, 2021

The Jazz were without Mike Conley who rested as he continues to rehab a hamstring injury he suffered earlier this season. The team was also without Jordan Clarkson who missed his third consecutive game with an ankle sprain.

Conley will return to the lineup against the Thunder, though the Jazz will be without Joe Ingles due to left knee soreness and Royce O’Neale who will miss the game due to rest.

Wheels Have Come Off For Thunder

While the Jazz enter the game coming off a tough loss to the Wizards, the wheels appear to have fully come off the Thunder this season.

Oklahoma City has lost nine of its last 10 games including six straight by enormous margins. The Thunder are averaging just 98.8 points per game during the losing streak while allowing opponents to score 127.3 points per outing.

Over the last 10 games, the Thunder have the worst offensive efficiency in the NBA and the second-worst defensive efficiency.

Aleksej Pokusevski (right arm soreness) is listed as out for tomorrow night at the Jazz.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Roby, Mike Muscala and Josh Hall remain out.

— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) April 13, 2021

Despite the long losing streak, Oklahoma City will have a distinct rest advantage over the Jazz. The Thunder last played Saturday night at home against the Philadelphia 76ers while the Jazz will be on less than 24 hours rest.

Like the Jazz, the Thunder will enter the game without a few key pieces. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will not play as he continues to recover from a foot injury while Mike Muscala and Aleksej Pokusevski will all miss the game with various ailments.

Key Matchup

The key matchup between the Jazz and Thunder will pit the Jazz’s Mitchell against Thunder guard Lu Dort.

Dort has become one of the premier defensive players in the NBA while averaging 12.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. The guard is however struggling to shoot the ball, connecting on just 39 percent of his field-goal attempts and 32 percent of his threes.

the bucket that iced the win 🕷#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/Y8bWmMkee0

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) December 29, 2020

Mitchell is averaging a career-high 26.6 points per game for the Jazz while handing out 5.3 assists, and grabbing 4.5 rebounds. Mitchell is shooting 43 percent from the floor and 38 percent from the three-point line.

The Jazz guard scored 20 points on 8-23 shooting in the Jazz last matchup against the Thunder while Dort contributed an ultra-efficient 26 points on 9-11 shooting. The Jazz did escape Oklahoma City with the 110-109 victory.

Broadcast

The Jazz and Thunder will tip-off at 7 pm MT, the game will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet.