Rookies Help Utah Jazz Close Out San Antonio Spurs In Final Game Before NBA Playoffs

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz closed out the San Antonio Spurs in the final game before the start of the NBA Playoffs behind second half performances from a group of rookies.

Utah played San Antonio at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Thursday, August 13.

Four of the six rookies on the Jazz roster scored in double figures as Utah defeated San Antonio 118-112.

“I don’t think anyone got a chance to see him play as much this year as we have these last few weeks, but they play together. I think they play hard,” Jazz head coach Quin Snyder said of his young players following the win.

The victory improved Utah’s final record in the regular season to 44-28.

Rayjon Tucker scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half to lead the Jazz in scoring. He shot 6-12 from the field and 5-5 from the foul line. In addition to his scoring total, Tucker added 2 rebounds and an assist in 24 minutes on the court.

Th @UtahJazz win their final bubble game in Orlando over the San Antonio Spurs 118-112.

Rayjon Tucker led the Jazz with 18 points on an efficient 6-12 shooting.

Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets on Monday at 11:30. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/uFkcswr3EA

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 14, 2020

Forward Jarrell Brantley scored an efficient 13 points on 6-13 field goals. He also recorded 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and a block in 29 minutes.

worth another l👀k#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/0RmS0AzYBq

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) August 14, 2020

Fellow second-round picks by the Jazz, Miye Oni and Nigel Williams-Goss each scored 10 points during their time on the floor.

Utah finished the contest shooting 46.5 percent overall and 32.6 percent from distance.

we agree with Thurl#TakeNote | @NigelWG5 pic.twitter.com/Uu8ngEhFjC

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) August 14, 2020

Prior to sitting in the second half, Jazz starters Donovan Mitchell and Jordan Clarkson scored 11 points apiece. Utah’s Mike Conley, Rudy Gobert, and Emmanuel Mudiay were featured on the team’s injury report and didn’t suit up against the Spurs.

San Antonio was led by Keldon Johnson’s 24 points. The Spurs had little to play for after learning they’d been eliminated from postseason contention prior to tipping off against Utah. San Antonio will miss the NBA Playoffs for the first time since the 1996-97 season after finishing this season with a 32-30 record.

Pop’s reaction to the Spurs playoff streak coming to an end 😅 pic.twitter.com/bTkHQNch38

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 14, 2020

Utah finished the season as the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference postseason picture and will face the No. 3 seed Denver Nuggets.

Raise your hand if you are ready for some playoff basketball between the @nuggets and @utahjazz. 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️ #TakeNote #NBA https://t.co/6P9sgZIJso

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 13, 2020

The Jazz and Nuggets will begin their first-round series on Monday, August 17 at 11:30 a.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on ESPN.