Tempers Flare In Jazz-Pistons Game, Jordan Clarkson Ejected
Dec 19, 2024, 6:58 PM | Updated: Dec 20, 2024, 9:28 am
DETROIT, Michigan – It almost felt like something was bound to happen as both teams became progressively more physical throughout the night. Late in the third quarter, with Utah leading 93-81, tempers boiled over after Paul Reed bumped Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson responded by pushing Reed and then raising his fists as if to fight Pistons guard Ron Holland.
The Pistons (11-16) are hosting Utah (5-20) at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday, December 19.
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Ron Holland and Paul Reed get into it with Jordan Clarkson 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/dUz6yUH0lU
— Pistons Jack (@pistons_jack) December 20, 2024
With both guards ready to throw punches, coaches from both benches spilled onto the floor, breaking up the fracas before it could escalate further.
Following a lengthy review, Clarkson and Holland were ejected for their actions.
Utah leads 97-86 after three quarters.
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Cody Williams is making progress with the Stars
After averaging 3.1 points and 2.3 rebounds with horrendous shooting splits in 16 games to begin his rookie year, Utah assigned Williams to the G-League. The former first-round pick averaged 13.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 30 percent from the floor, 21 percent from three, and 68 percent from the free throw line.
“Cody is getting better. The game that I was at, I thought he played a good game, I just think he didn’t shoot the ball great, and so I leave encouraged,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said.
21 PTS ⭐️ 7/10 FG ⭐️ 3/3 3PT
2024 NBA first round pick Cody Williams dropped a CAREER-HIGH in scoring for the @slcstars! He did this in just 20 MIN of action. pic.twitter.com/vM6JbpCF8p
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) December 5, 2024
Now, it’s worth noting that Williams has been asked to do two radically different things with the Jazz and the Salt Lake City Stars, and it’s part of the reason he was sent to the G-League in the first place.
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Williams had quickly assumed the role of a traditional 3-and-D wing after moving into the starting lineup early in the year, but the Jazz wanted to give him more opportunities with the ball in his hands. Williams was doing far more dribble-drive shot creation with the Stars than in the NBA and showed a knack for getting into the paint, even if his shots weren’t falling.
“The making and missing of shots is not everything for these guys where they are in their careers, and so we try to stay focused on that while also recognizing that they’re human and that they want to make every shot, and if they don’t, they feel bad about themselves, so we have to help them keep that perspective,” Hardy said of Williams’ development.
Follow the Utah Jazz with KSL Sports
Tonight’s game against the Pistons is being televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, 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.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball coverage here.
