Clarkson Drills Three In Face Of Former Jazzman During Suns/Jazz Game

SALT LAKE CITY – Reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson knocked down a three-pointer in the face of a former Jazzman during Utah’s game against the Phoenix Suns.

The Jazz hosted the Suns at Vivint Arena on Friday, April 8.

With 3:12 remaining in the opening quarter and the 24-second shot clock ticking down, Clarkson stepped back to beyond the three-point line before letting loose on a 26-foot attempt in the face of former Jazz and current Suns forward Jae Crowder.

Crowder played for the Jazz from 2018-19.

Clarkson’s shot sailed through the cylinder to cut Phoenix’s lead to 24-18.

Despite a slow start the @utahjazz have clawed back into the game against the @suns.

Important for the Jazz to take a punch and not immediately fold. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/x3ZRAZX7Qb

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 9, 2022

The triple forced Suns head coach Monte Williams to call a timeout.

At the end of the first quarter, Phoenix owned a 30-24 lead.

Clarkson had three points on 1-4 shooting, including 1-2 from downtown. He added two rebounds and posted a plus-four rating during his first four minutes on the hardwood.

Suns vs. Jazz

The Jazz are riding a two-game winning streak, including a 36 point blowout over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, their second-largest margin of victory this season.

The Suns meanwhile are playing their final road game before finishing the season at home on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings.

Jazz Wrap Up Solid Home Season

Despite an up and down season, the Jazz have been their usual solid selves at home this year.

Entering their matchup with the Suns the Jazz sit at 29-11 in Salt Lake City, matching the Memphis Grizzlies for the most wins at home so far this season.

The Jazz have struggled away from home however as the only team in the West’s top six with a record below .500 on the road.

The @utahjazz have a chance to record their league-leading 30th win at home tonight when they face the @suns. #TakeNote https://t.co/1rzsGsq9hK

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 8, 2022

In order to open the postseason at home, the Jazz would need to win their two final games including Sunday’s season finale at the Portland Trail Blazers with the Dallas Mavericks going winless against Portland and the San Antonio Spurs.

Suns Face Jazz With Healthy Roster

Though the Suns already have home-court advantage locked up through the playoffs, they will face the Jazz with their full complement of players.

After resting Chris Paul, Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton, and Jae Crowder in Wednesday’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix doesn’t have any names listed on Friday’s injury report.

The two teams have yet to field a fully healthy roster against one another this season with the Jazz missing several starters in their first two meetings in late January, while Paul missed the Suns’ road trip to Utah in February.

The two teams could face off in the second round if the Jazz remain in the fifth seed, and both teams were to win their opening-round matchups.

📻 LISTEN LIVE: @Suns vs. @utahjazz on @ZoneSportsNet, @kslnewsradio, and the @kslsports app ☀️🎷🏀#TakeNote #PHXvsUTA https://t.co/LqmyLeIzsG

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 9, 2022

Utah’s game against Phoenix is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA TV, and The Zone Sports Network.

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