Damian Lillard Carrying Load For Portland

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Damian Lillard has been carrying the load for the Portland Trail Blazers with the injury to backcourt mate C.J. McCollum and now Jusuf Nurkic.

Kyle Kuzma is trying to help the Lakers to a respectable record despite missing the postseason.

Delon Wright has a new career-high in assists as he continues to bring in big minutes for Memphis.

Jakob Poeltl is playing a big role for the Spurs and in an important stretch of the season.

Jimmer Fredette signed a contract through the rest of the season with the Phoenix Suns.

Andrew Bogut has moved to the bench, but putting in key minutes for the defending champs.

Frank Jackson continues to start for the Pelicans for the injured Jrue Holiday.

Here’s how the locals did during Week 23 of the NBA season from Wednesday, March 20 to Tuesday, March 26:

Former Utes

Kyle Kuzma – Los Angeles Lakers (33-41)

The Lakers snapped a six game losing streak and have now won two straight.

Kyle Kuzma had 18 points and 6 rebounds in their loss to the Nets.

He posted 29 points and 6 rebounds on 10-of-22 shooting from the field in the Lakers’ win over the Kings.

In their win over the Wizards, Kuzma recorded 15 points and 4 rebounds.

This season, the former Ute is averaging 18.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

🎥 Kyle Kuzma caught fire in the third quarter, finishing with 29 points and 6 boards tonight against Sacramento #LakersWin pic.twitter.com/yk1wJZhoCT

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 25, 2019

NEXT UP: The Lakers have four games during Week 24, beginning at Utah before hosting Charlotte. They will finish the week on the road against New Orleans and Oklahoma City.

 

Jakob Poeltl – San Antonio Spurs (43-32)

The Spurs went from a nine game winning streak to losing three of their next four games.

Jakob Poeltl recorded 2 points and 8 rebounds in 14 minutes in their loss to the Heat.

He had 8 points and 8 rebounds in 15 minutes in their loss to Houston.

The former Ute finished with 6 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes of play in the Spurs’ win over the Celtics.

Poeltl ended the week with 7 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in their overtime loss to the Hornets.

This season, Poeltl is averaging 5.5 points and 5.4 rebounds this season.

Poeltl Jam 🔨 pic.twitter.com/Ew0DnD7Wrg

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) March 26, 2019

NEXT UP: The Spurs will play all three games at home during Week 24. They will host Cleveland, Sacramento and Atlanta.

 

Delon Wright – Memphis Grizzlies (30-44)

Memphis split their four games this week.

Delon Wright started the week with 9 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in the Grizzlies’ win over the Rockets.

He recorded 12 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 block and 1 steal in 39 minutes of play in their loss to the Magic.

Wright posted 12 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals in the Grizzlies’ loss to the Timberwolves.

He finished the week getting the start and recording 18 points, 3 rebounds, a career-high 13 assists and 4 steals in their win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. His first career double-double.

The former Ute is averaging 7.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1 steal per game this season.

With a double-double of 18 points and 13 assists, Delon Wright got the @BassProShops #TrophyGame! pic.twitter.com/aEfyqYSoDF

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) March 26, 2019

NEXT UP: Memphis has three games during Week 24, beginning at home against Golden State. They will travel to Phoenix and the Clippers.

 

Andrew Bogut – Golden State Warriors (50-23)

Andrew Bogut had 4 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist in 9 minutes in their win over the Pacers.

The former Ute posted 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks in the Warriors’ win over the Pistons.

"🚫" – Andrew Bogut pic.twitter.com/ejFOXCEfV7

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 25, 2019

NEXT UP: The Warriors will have four games during Week 24. They will travel to Memphis and Minnesota, before hosting Charlotte and Denver.

 

Former Wildcats

Damian Lillard – Portland Trail Blazers (46-27)

The Trail Blazers went 3-0 during Week 23.

Damian Lillard dropped 33 points, 5 rebounds and 12 assists in the Blazers’ win over the Dallas Mavericks.

He recorded 28 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists in their 5-point win over the Pistons.

Lillard posted 31 points, 6 rebounds and 12 assists in their double overtime win over the Nets. In the second overtime, they lost starting center Jusuf Nurkic for the season after suffering a gruesome injury.

The former Wildcat is averaging 26.4 points, 6.8 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game this season.

4-point plays only pic.twitter.com/TfKHsg1xVP

— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 24, 2019

NEXT UP: Portland will play four games during Week 24, with all games on the road. They will face Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit and Minnesota.

 

Former Cougars

Jimmer Fredette – Phoenix Suns (17-58)

Former BYU star Jimmer Fredette signed with the Phoenix Suns for the rest of the season and has a team option next season.

He played in two games, beginning with a 2-rebound performance in 4 minutes in their loss to the Kings.

Fredette made his return to the Salt Lake City and scored 6 points on 1-of-10 shooting from the field in 14 minutes in the Suns’ loss to the Jazz.

Back on the court in Utah!

Jimmer's got some fans 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/qfBlY22aUj

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 26, 2019

NEXT UP: The Suns will play three games during Week 24, with all games at home. They will host Washington, Memphis and Cleveland.

 

Former High School Standouts

Frank Jackson – New Orleans Pelicans (31-45)

Former Lone Peak star Frank Jackson started all three games for the Pelicans.

Jackson posted 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 32 minutes as the Pelicans lost to the Magic.

In their loss to the Rockets, Jackson recorded a team-high 19 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists in 34 minutes of play.

He scored 20 points to go with his 2 rebounds and 1 steal in their loss to the Hawks.

The former Duke Blue Devil is averaging 8.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game this season.

Frank already has 12 points with 5 minutes left in the first quarter! pic.twitter.com/X0lpmfoyVa

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 27, 2019

NEXT UP: The Pelicans will play two games during Week 24, both at home against Sacramento and the Los Angeles Lakers.