Defense Fails Utah Jazz In Minnesota Drubbing
Jan 30, 2025, 9:34 PM | Updated: Jan 31, 2025, 9:35 am
SALT LAKE CITY – A late Joe Ingles sighting was the night’s highlight for Utah Jazz fans after the second-half defense collapsed in a 138-113 loss to Minnesota.
The Jazz (10-36) welcome the Timberwolves (27-21) to Delta Center on Thursday, January 30.
Utah enters the night last in the West, while the Wolves are clinging to the seventh-seed and play-in game opportunity it provides. Minnesota is playing the second night of a back-to-back after beating Phoenix last night in Arizona.
💔#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/Vu92KD1GG3
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 31, 2025
Rookie point guard Isaiah Collier has been a bright spot recently, getting elevated to a starting role three games ago. Once one of the highest-regarded college recruits in the country, Collier’s draft stock fell as he struggled with his shot in his lone season with USC.
After being the 29th pick in June, Collier has made steady progress. His speed and strength stand out as a rookie, but his floor vision sets Collier apart. He averages 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and five assists while rarely looking out of place amongst the league’s best.
the rook's passing the rock at levels we've never seen before 🤩#TakeNote presented by @Qualtrics pic.twitter.com/UGJDDC4TaG
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 30, 2025
A natural play-maker, Collier has topped double-figure assists three times, including a career-high 11 twice against New Orleans in back-to-back games.
Setting passing records in Utah is never easy with John Stockton’s legacy hanging over the franchise, but Collier has managed to do just that. The rookie enters tonight with a streak of six assists in 11 consecutive starts.
Jazz eyeing Minnesota struggles with draft pick in tow
When the Timberwolves traded for Rudy Gobert in the summer of 2023, four first-round picks and a 2026 pick swap were part of the return for the four-time DPOY. After taking Keyonte George with the Wolves selection in 2023, Minnesota owes their first-round pick this summer to Utah.
Today, that pick sits 15th and one spot outside of the lottery. If Minnesota’s struggles continue and they somehow fall out of the playoffs, that would be a significant win for the Jazz.
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24), Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27), and Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) scramble for a loose ball at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
Riding the hot hand of Anthony Edwards, the Wolves advanced to the Western Conference Finals in 2024 and seemed to be a team on the rise. An offseason swap of All-Star center Karl Anthony-Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo has not paid dividends, as Minnesota has fallen to the middle of the pack offensively.
Edwards has been launching from deep this season, making 41.8 percent from deep while attempting 9.8 threes per game. The former No. 1 pick in 2021 averages 26.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and is a nightly threat to make a highlight-level play.
Pregame
Jazz Injury Report:
*AVAILABLE – John Collins (illness)
*AVAILABLE – Walker Kessler (left shoulder contusion)
*OUT – Johnny Juzang (right hand fracture)
OUT – Taylor Hendricks (right fibula fracture)
OUT – Elijah Harkless (G League)
OUT – Oscar Tshiebwe (G League)
OUT -… pic.twitter.com/P8kPUpzRvU
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 30, 2025
🎶 @isaiahcollier04
🎺 @collinsexton02
🎷 @Markkanenlauri
🎹 @jcollins20_
🎤 @walkerkessler13#StartingLineup presented by @zionsbank pic.twitter.com/k3JLBp9xcF— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 31, 2025
LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz are back at Delta Center to battle the @Timberwolves on the @kslsports app, @KSLSportsZone and:https://t.co/SX44dqSLxs pic.twitter.com/nO4znLhegt
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 31, 2025
First Quarter
want a tough bucket??? Bull will show you a touch bucket 😈 pic.twitter.com/UGM674pP9g
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 31, 2025
With 6:27 left in the first quarter the @utahjazz lead the @timberwolves 18-6.
Jazz have their full starting lineup and are out-executing the Wolves early in this one. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/i9KimlzNxe
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 31, 2025
🏈 Zay said “go long Lau” 🏈 pic.twitter.com/7NO8YppfoE
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 31, 2025
The @utahjazz hold a narrow 31-27 lead over the @timberwolves.
Jazz led by as many as 15, but the Timberwolves bench closed the first quarter well. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/yWx7BlPqo3
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 31, 2025
Second Quarter
Wow Collier throws his body into Ant on the fastbreak and totally knocked him off his spot defensively resulting in the easy layup.
He's got a ton of savvy for a rookie, in addition to his speed and strength. Vet move.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 31, 2025
you’re in sheriff territory 🚫 pic.twitter.com/iR44Px2hmL
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 31, 2025
One of my favorite Jordan Clarkson things historically is how he picks on rookie defenders.
He knows all the tricks.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 31, 2025
The @timberwolves have put together a big 15-2 run and have taken a 45-38 over the @utahjazz midway through the second quarter.
Jazz are just 3-7 from the floor in the quarter with two turnovers. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/KkoFJaXB4L
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 31, 2025
SELF-INBOUND TO YOUR OWN SLAM 🤯
Keyonte George playing tricks! pic.twitter.com/Q7OV7FDqxn
— NBA (@NBA) January 31, 2025
Keyonte passed to himself for the dunk 😳https://t.co/HdaTN9rn2O
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 31, 2025
pls choose your favorite form of flame:#TakeNote | @JordanClarksons pic.twitter.com/MeRts1QlhI
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 31, 2025
Collin Sexton cans a buzzer-beating three and the @utahjazz trail the @timberwolves 57-53.
Looked like this one was getting away from the Jazz but they closed the half well. Sexton has 12 points to lead the Jazz.#takenote pic.twitter.com/2QeFa1PQOP
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 31, 2025
24 down, 24 to go! pic.twitter.com/C0T2BhQ3eO
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 31, 2025
Third Quarter
just making sure everyone saw this one‼️⤵️ pic.twitter.com/paP4G3yYW0
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 31, 2025
With 6:55 left in the third quarter the @timberwolves lead the @utahjazz 71-61.
Jazz have been outscored 14-8 to start the half. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/7JGFlxgIiJ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 31, 2025
‼️𝐉𝐂 𝐃𝐔𝐍𝐊‼️
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 31, 2025
The @utahjazz defense collapsed in the third quarter and trail the @timberwolves 101-75 heading into the final period.
Jazz outscored 44-22 in the frame. #takenote pic.twitter.com/sXnfgAsafs
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 31, 2025
Fourth Quarter
⌛️ take your time rook ⏳ pic.twitter.com/Rx3cU7zZrf
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 31, 2025
Anthony Edwards is putting on a three-point shooting display as the @timberwolves are blowing out the @utahjazz 125-99.
Ant has 36 points on 6-9 shooting from downtown. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/sC21zUCns6
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 31, 2025
Joe Ingles is checking into the game for the @timberwolves to a huge ovation from @utahjazz fans.
Timberwolves will be back in Utah next month, but there's a chance this is his last time taking the floor in the arena where his NBA career took off.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 31, 2025
Fans at Delta Center started chanting "Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe"… TWOlves coach heard him and put Joe Ingles into the game… Delta Center ERUPTED!
Utah still loves Joe Ingles.#TakeNote— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_TV) January 31, 2025
Former Jazzman Joe Ingles got a warm welcome in his return to SLC ♥https://t.co/S6ypIe1Mce
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 31, 2025
The @timberwolves hand the @utahjazz their eighth straight loss with a 138-113 blowout victory.
Keyonte George led the Jazz with 23 points off the bench on a perfect 7-7 shooting. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/HB3KJST4Yp
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 31, 2025
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Follow the Utah Jazz with KSL Sports
Tonight’s game against the Timberwolves 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.
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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.
