UTAH JAZZ

Utah Jazz Finding Unexpected Spark From Bench Scorer

Mar 4, 2026, 9:04 PM

Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz...

Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz dropped their seventh straight game, falling on the road to the Philadelphia 76ers 106-102.

Keyonte George led all scorers with 30 points, while Tyrese Maxey carried Philadelphia with 25.

The Jazz led 100-94 with just under five minutes left to play, but were outscored 12-2 to close the game.

Related: Shorthanded Sixers Top Utah Jazz In Philadelphia

Brice Sensabaugh has hit a cold streak

With the Jazz dealing with a battered top of the roster, the team’s younger players have taken on larger roles in recent games.

For Brice Sensabaugh, though, that extra opportunity hasn’t produced positive results.

Over his last three outings, the third-year wing has averaged 8.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 22 minutes per game while shooting just 9-for-38 from the field, including 4-for-21 from three-point range.

That’s 19 percent from deep and 23 percent overall.

Making matters worse, Sensabaugh’s minutes have dropped from 26 to 22 to 19, including Wednesday’s difficult outing in Philadelphia.

Against the 76ers, the Ohio State product shot 3-for-12 and missed all six of his three-point attempts.

There’s no doubt that at his best, Sensabaugh is an NBA-caliber scorer who can create his own shot and get incredibly hot from downtown.

When he’s clicking, he’s capable of winning games nearly single-handedly, as he has shown several times early in his career.

But when he’s not scoring — as has been the case over his last three games — his ability to impact the game in other areas still needs development.

The Jazz have had ample opportunities to develop young players since drafting Sensabaugh with the 28th pick in 2023, but that time is shrinking with an expected playoff push beginning on opening night next season.

Though the Jazz have gathered three years of data on Sensabaugh, his performance over the next 20 games may heavily influence his future role with the team.

With only six weeks left in the season, the 22-year-old needs to regain form to enter the summer with added confidence.

Blake Hinson is maximizing his opportunity with the Jazz

While Sensabaugh has struggled, two-way wing Blake Hinson has capitalized on his limited chances.

Hinson signed a two-way deal in February, and in five appearances has averaged 9.0 points and 2.2 rebounds in 19 minutes per game.

Most impressively, he’s shooting 56 percent from the field and 50 percent from three on 4.2 attempts per game.

Though Hinson’s role isn’t complicated, he has executed it well by finding space on the perimeter and knocking down shots when they come.

Against Philadelphia, the 26-year-old scored 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting, including 3-for-5 from deep.

With Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Keyonte George expected to take most of the offensive load next season, the Jazz will need steady production from their role players.

Before signing his two-way contract, Hinson averaged 20.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 45 percent from the floor and 36 percent from three in the G League, and his scoring touch has carried into the NBA.

The Jazz project to have limited cap space this summer, making it crucial to find players who outperform their contracts. Hinson is the lowest-paid player on the roster but is producing like a rotation regular.

Though his sample size is small, the Florida native has made a convincing case for a deeper look this offseason.

Next Utah Jazz Broadcast

The Jazz will travel to face the Washington Wizards on Thursday at 5 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.

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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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Utah Jazz Finding Unexpected Spark From Bench Scorer