Talen Horton-Tucker Continues To Develop, Helps Jazz Beat Magic
Mar 9, 2023, 8:38 PM | Updated: Mar 10, 2023, 11:53 am
SALT LAKE CITY – First-year Jazzman Talen Horton-Tucker tied his season-high in scoring to help the Utah Jazz snap a four-game skid with a victory over the Orlando Magic.
The Magic hosted the Jazz at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida on Thursday, March 9.
Utah beat Orlando, 131-124.
The @utahjazz ended a four-game skid with a road win over the @OrlandoMagic. 🎷 🪄#TakeNote #UTAvsORL https://t.co/mWYkdawmat
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 10, 2023
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Horton-Tucker had a well-rounded performance that resulted in him tying his season-high for points in a game and the Jazz picking up a win for the first time in March.
“We just needed to come out and bring some type of energy just to get out of that little funk that we had, especially starting the road trip off…so it was good,” Horton-Tucker told Jazz TV during a walk-off interview.
The guard not only had an impressive outing putting the ball in the hoop but he dished out eight assists for the fourth time this season. The Iowa State product helped facilitate Will Hardy’s offense and get his teammates the ball where they needed it.
After the game, Horton-Tucker said that he sees more games like this in his future as he stays true to himself.
“Just always staying true to myself through every up and down of a basketball season,” Horton-Tucker continued. “Being able to stay in the moment, stay present I feel like games like this will happen for me.”
“We always preach staying ready so that we don’t have to get ready. I feel like everybody here that’s playing and getting an opportunity now is ready.”
🎤 @Thortontucker joins @buckleupboler & @bigtbailey for the #WalkoffInterview #TakeNote | @lhmauto pic.twitter.com/m8Z534yseT
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 10, 2023
Since stepping into a more prominent and starting role since the NBA trade deadline on February 9, Horton-Tucker has had some of his best performances as a member of the Jazz.
RELATED: Markkanen’s Magic Helps Jazz Snap Four-Game Losing Streak In Orlando
He’s scored in double-digits in seven of Utah’s 11 contests since the deadline. He’s also handed out at least six assists in six of those outings.
Maybe more importantly, after committing 14 combined turnovers in the previous three games, Horton-Tucker only had a pair of giveaways against the Magic.
THT(hree)!
Talen ties his season-high with 𝟮𝟯 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 🔥#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/SNITSqjKTL
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 10, 2023
It’s probably a little too early to tell whether or not Horton-Tucker can be Utah’s point guard of the future. However, the guard is showing signs of development and progress that should make Hardy, Jazz general manager Justin Zanik, and CEO Danny Ainge glad they traded for the 22-year-old in August 2022.
With the win, the Jazz improved their record to 32-35 this season. Utah’s next game is on the road against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, March 11 at 5 p.m. (MDT). Utah’s game against Charlotte will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.
