Multiple Utah Jazz Players Enter Health, Safety Protocols

SALT LAKE CITY – Multiple Utah Jazz players entered the NBA’s Health & Safety Protocols prior to the team’s sixth game of the 2022-23 season.

On Thursday, October 27, the Jazz ruled three players as “out” for Utah’s game against the Denver Nuggets a day later.

Jazz Players Enter COVID-19 Protocols

Multiple Jazz players won’t suit up for Utah’s road game in the Mile High City, a couple of which due to the NBA’s Health & Safety Protocols for COVID-19.

Forwards Rudy Gay and Simone Fontecchio were ruled out by the Jazz because of the protocols.

Two-way rookie Johnny Juzang is currently with the Salt Lake City Stars.

In addition to those players, first-year center Walker Kessler and guard Colin Sexton are questionable to play on Friday. Kessler’s status is due to an illness and Sexton is recovering from a left oblique contusion suffered during Utah’s win over the Houston Rockets on October 26.

Looks like the @utahjazz got hit by a bug.

OUT – Rudy Gay (health & safety protocols)

OUT – Simone Fontecchio (health & safety protocols)

OUT- Johnny Juzang (G League – Two Way)

QUESTIONABLE – Walker Kessler (illness)

QUESTIONABLE – Collin Sexton (left oblique contusion)

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 27, 2022

Jazz vs. Nuggets

First Five Games

The Jazz and the Portland Trail Blazers are the two hottest teams in the Western Conference opening the season 4-1.

The Blazers stood alone atop the West until they fell to the Miami Heat on Wednesday night at home.

The Jazz meanwhile avenged Monday’s loss in Houston with a 109-101 victory over the Rockets in Salt Lake City before setting off for a one-game road trip against the Nuggets.

Lauri Markkanen is suddenly dunking at a historic pace.

Talen Horton-Tucker broke out.

And at 4-1, the @utahjazz have matched last year's record through five games.

That and more after beating the @HoustonRockets Wednesday night. #TakeNote https://t.co/Pl3Q2HtJIB

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 27, 2022

Lauri Markkanen is having a career-year in Utah averaging 22.0 points and 8.8 rebounds in dive appearances with the Jazz.

Guard Jordan Clarkson is also experiencing career-bests in points, rebounds, assists, and three-point percentage as a full-time starter for the Jazz.

Markkanen and Clarkson combined for 44 points in the Jazz win over the Rockets.

Nuggets Trying To Find Footing

The Nuggets are off to a bit of a wobbly start to open the season at 3-2.

Denver has lost to both the Jazz and the Trail Blazers in blowout fashion, but has recorded wins over the Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, and most recently the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.

The Nuggets own the seventh-worst defensive rating entering Friday night’s game against the Jazz and have given up 123 points or more in three of their five outings.

CB makin' a difference tonight 😤 pic.twitter.com/xO1pLD3Jw4

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) October 27, 2022

Denver’s normally high-powred offense has struggled this season since welcoming back Jamal Murray (knee) and Michael Porter Jr. (back surgery) from serious injuries last season.

Superstar center Nikola Jokic’s scoring is down nearly five full points from his average last season, though he’s averaging a career-high 9.4 assists through five games.

Utah’s game against Denver will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.

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