Udoka Azubuike Having Big Night, Utah Jazz Fighting Sacramento Late
Mar 20, 2023, 9:10 PM | Updated: Mar 21, 2023, 10:37 am
SALT LAKE CITY – Embattled third-year Utah Jazz center Udoka Azubuike is taking advantage of his opportunity, scoring a career-high 13 points as the Jazz battled Sacramento.
The Jazz (34-36, 11th in West) is hosting the Sacramento Kings (43-27, 2nd in West) at Vivint Arena on Monday, March 20.
🚨 Dok Dunk 🚨 pic.twitter.com/y0TY6j3K1L
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 21, 2023
With the score tied at 100, Azubuike followed up a miss by Rudy Gay with a two-handed slam. It was his second straight dunk.
Azubuike’s 13 points and eight rebounds were critical as Sacramento fought back from a 21-point deficit to take a fourth-quarter lead.
Sacramento currently holds a 111-110 lead with five minutes remaining.
RELATED: Jazz Host Kings With Playoff Standings On The Line
Shorthanded Utah Jazz
Utah is playing without Collin Sexton, who is missing his 11th straight game due to a hamstring injury while Jordan Clarkson is out for the sixth straight game with a finger injury.
All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen is also out against Sacramento with a sore back.
UPDATED Jazz Injury Report (as of 3/20):
*OUT – Lauri Markkanen (back soreness)
OUT – Jordan Clarkson (left hand – fourth finger sprain)
OUT – Micah Potter (G League – Two-Way)
OUT – Collin Sexton (left hamstring strain)
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 20, 2023
The team is amid a four-game homestand that opened on Saturday with a win against the Boston Celtics and concludes with matchups Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers and Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks.
With 12 games left to play, the Jazz are within 1.5 games of both the sixth seed and the 12th seed in the West.
RELATED: Clutch Rookies Push Jazz Past Celtics
Can Sacramento Kings Maintain 2-Seed?
The Kings are looking to close the season strong and lock up the second seed in the West ahead of the fledging Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies were in sole control of the second seed and homecourt advantage from December 20-March 15, but a series of injuries and on-and-off-the-floor mishaps have rattled the team over recent weeks.
Domas put up a double-double in The District 😤👑
30 PTS | 10 AST | 9 REB | 10/12 FG pic.twitter.com/Vic1tvHuHT
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) March 19, 2023
The Kings are 14-4 over their last 18 games heading into Monday’s matchup with the Jazz and sit 5.5 games clear of the fourth seed in the West.
Sacramento is 2-0 this season in matchups against the Jazz.
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Utah Jazz vs. Sacramento Kings
The Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings is being broadcast on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.
