Jordan Clarkson Completes Four-Point Play To Open Pelicans-Jazz Game

SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson completed a four-point play to start Utah’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Jazz hosted the Pelicans at Vivint Arena on Thursday, December 15.

With 10:06 remaining in the opening quarter, Clarkson dribbled against the defense of Pelicans star Zion Williamson. The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year attacked toward the basket before stepping back behind the arc and letting loose on a 25-foot shot.

Clarkson’s shot sailed through the cylinder for a three-pointer as Williamson fouled him.

The Jazz guard went to the charity stripe and knocked down a free throw to give Utah its first points of the night and a 4-2 lead.

flame on and on ❤️‍🔥#TakeNote | @jordanclarksons pic.twitter.com/CQTKeosQz0

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 16, 2022

During Utah’s win over New Orleans on December 13, Clarkson scored 11 points on 4-13 shooting. This season, the Missouri product is averaging 19.5 points per contest on 42.8 percent shooting, including 33.2 percent from downtown.

Utah’s game against New Orleans is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.

Pelicans vs. Jazz

Collin Sexton will miss his fourth consecutive game with a hamstring injury suffered against the Golden State Warriors on December 7th.

The second-unit guard underwent an MRI on Wednesday and will have his status updated by the team on Thursday.

Sexton is averaging 14.3 points and 3.0 assists in 27 games with the Jazz this season.

LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz will look to sweep the two-game series with the @PelicansNBA on the @KSLSportsZone and https://t.co/4kU961CZ7h.#TakeNote https://t.co/7gRvvLJ8H4 pic.twitter.com/TRwcXcM4Bk

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 16, 2022

Despite scoring the game-winning basket, Simone Fontecchio was injured in Utah’s recent win over the Golden State Warriors.

The Italian rookie sprained his ankle early in the game but finished the night before being ruled out the past week.

Fontecchio is averaging 4.8 points and 1.3 rebounds while shooting 41 percent from the three-point line.

The Jazz expect Lauri Markkanen and Mike Conly on the floor for the second straight game. Markkanen returned from an illness that sidelined him for three games and scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Tuesday’s win. Conley added seven points and six assists in 29 minutes.

New Orleans Looks To Avoid Jazz Sweep

Despite being tied for the best record in the West after Tuesday’s loss, the Pelicans are looking to avoid a three-game season sweep at the hands of the Jazz.

The Jazz took down the Pelicans 122-121 in overtime in the third game of the season in New Orleans before dismantling the West’s top seed in their second matchup. Thursday’s matchup is the final regular season meeting between the two teams.

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Brandon Ingram is scheduled to miss his ninth straight game when the Pelicans face the Jazz.

New Orleans was 7-0 after Ingram left the roster with a toe injury, but saw their winning streak snapped in Utah.

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