Sexton Likely To Return As Jazz Host Magic

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz are expected to welcome Collin Sexton back to the rotation when they host the Orlando Magic on Friday night.

The game marks the front of a rare set of back-to-back home games for the Jazz who will face the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.

The Jazz are coming off an emotional win over Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday while the Magic are playing the fourth game of a five-game road trip.

Sexton Expected To Return For Jazz

After missing the last five games due to hamstring injury maintenance, Sexton expects to return to the Jazz lineup against the Magic.

The dynamic sixth man missed seven games after suffering a hamstring strain against the Golden State Warriors on December 7.

Sexton returned for five games late in the month but was shut down by the team after feeling continued discomfort.

Olynyk is still out against the ⁦@OrlandoMagic⁩ tomorrow while Collin Sexton has been upgraded to questionable. #TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/o0T5axWy3s

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 12, 2023

“Things that I normally do, whether it’s pressing the ball, ball picking up full [court] here and there, it just felt a little off,” Sexton said. “I didn’t feel like it was strong enough.”

Sexton hasn’t played since the Jazz’s loss to the Miami Heat on New Year’s Eve but anticipated playing Friday.

“I feel good,” Sexton said. “Back tomorrow — definitely excited to be back on the floor. I feel ready to go.”

Starting center Kelly Olynyk will miss his second straight game with an ankle injury, while guard Talen Horton-Tucker is listed as questionable after missing the last two games with an ankle sprain.

Magic Start Road Trip Well

The Jazz mark the fourth game of a five-game road trip for the Magic.

Orlando needs just one more win in the final three games to guarantee themselves their second consecutive plus-.500 road trip after winning three out of four games in mid-December.

The Magic opened their current road trip with a rare win over the Golden State Warriors at Chase center before downing the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

Orlando is led in scoring by rookie top-overall pick Paolo Banchero who averages 21.2 points per game. Second-year wing Franz Wagner is the Magic’s second-leading scorer at 20.2 points per contest.

After missing four games due to a non-Covid illness, breakout center Bol Bol was cleared to return to the floor against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday. However, the team opted to give him another night’s rest.

The center is expected to be available against the Jazz.

Utah Jazz vs. Orlando Magic Broadcast

The Utah Jazz and Orlando Magic will tip off at 7 pm MT in Salt Lake City. The game will be televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.

Ben Anderson is the KSL Sports insider for the Utah Jazz and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.

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