John Collins Finishes Alley-Oop Slam

SALT LAKE CITY— John Collins is trying to take over in the second half for the Utah Jazz as the Thunder hold a commanding 74-56 second-half lead. 

The Jazz (13-41) is hosting the Western Conference-leading OKC Thunder (44-10) at Delta Center on Friday, February 21. The Jazz are half a game better than New Orleans in the West but have the third-worst record in the league.

Oklahoma City is 2-0 against Utah this season, winning 133-106 in early December and downing the Jazz 123-114 one month ago.

RELATED: Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Live Blog

the Zay to Collins connection remains inseparable 🤝 pic.twitter.com/3kdvxWRhEm

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 22, 2025

Collins has all nine of Utah’s third-quarter points, including a pair of highlight buckets.

After completing a three-point play with a rugged finish over Isaiah Hartenstein, Collins showed off his hops.

The Jazz ran the floor following a Thunder miss, creating open lanes. Isaiah Collier took the ball baseline, then lofted a perfect pass to Collins on the other side of the basket for a left-handed hammer.

Collins leads all scorers with 22 points. Only Jordan Clarkson joins him in double figures for the Jazz.

Utah trails by 17 with seven minutes left in the third period.

Ryan Smith Hopes To Break The Mold With Utah Jazz Rebuild

The Jazz are in the thick of a race for the top odds in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft.

With elite prospects like Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey waiting to hear their names called in June, multiple NBA teams are focused on the summer rather than the games in front of them.

Cody and Jalen face each other on the court tonight for the first time ever in a professional game 👀

Make sure to tune in to tonight’s game on KJZZ & JAZZ+ to catch the full sit-down interview with the Williams brothers 🫶#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/xkWXI7z8ct

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 21, 2025

However, landing a top pick is never a certainty, and Smith acknowledged the Jazz may need to be proactive.

“We’re hoping to do something a little different in Utah Jazz history,” Smith said. “I don’t think we’ve ever moved up in the draft, and I don’t think we’ve ever had the No. 1 pick. In these situations, you work with what you’ve got. If you look through history, it’s pretty tough to predict exactly who is going to go where. If there’s a situation where we decide to move or get more aggressive with some of the assets we have, I think we’ll be active.”

In most cases, championship contenders are built through the draft and free agency.

Keep building good habits and getting the most out of every game 📈

We're back from break and Lauri gets into what a successful end of season looks like, his thoughts on a 4 Nations style NBA tournament and how he spent his break.#ShootaroundInterviews presented by @ZionsBank

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 21, 2025

As a smaller-market team, the Jazz have traditionally relied on the draft rather than free agency to build contenders. But Smith believes that could change.

“There will be a day where bigger players decide they want to be here,” Smith said. “That’s our goal. I know everyone runs with that, the ‘big game hunting.’ We should not lose sight of that. We’re trying everything we can with the league—all of the moves we’re making to try to make it a place that they desire. The secret is definitely out that this is a place where people can lock in. We’re due at some point to have a big signing come our way.”

Jazz-Thunder Gameday Reading

• KJ Martin Available For Jazz Debut Against Thunder

• Ryan Smith On Rebuild: “We’re Hoping To Do Something Different From Jazz History”

• Brice Sensabaugh Gets Engaged Over All-Star Break

• Next 10 Games Are Most Important Stretch Of Jazz Season

• Report: Jazz Sign Former Tennessee Guard To 10-Day Contract

• Jazz Mailbag: Should Team Have Kept Mitchell Or Gobert?

• Keyonte George Nails Three In All-Star Game With Rising Stars Squad

• Keyonte George Hits Rising Stars Championship Game-Winner

• John Stockton Reacts To Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Shoutout

• Clippers Duo Sinks Jazz, Utah Falls In Overtime Before All-Star Break

• Utah Jazz Mailbag: How Does 2025 Draft Impact Current Youth?

• Undersized Jazz Struggle In 130-110 Loss To Clippers

• Isaiah Collier Sets Utah Jazz History In First Half Against Suns

Follow the John Collins & the Utah Jazz with KSL Sports

Tonight’s game against the Thunder is being televised on KJZZ, streamed on SEG+, 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. 

Find sports.ksl.com coverage of the Utah Jazz here.

Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect; give us a follow @kslsports.

Take us with you wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio and video and stay updated on all your favorite teams.

Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X and Instagram at @bpreece24. 

Follow @bpreece24