Ochai Agbaji, Collin Sexton Spark Jazz Bench During Opening Quarter Against Wolves
Jan 16, 2023, 2:43 PM | Updated: Jan 17, 2023, 9:56 am
SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz guards Ochai Agbaji and Collin Sexton injected energy into the second unit during the first quarter of Utah’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The T-Wolves hosted the Jazz at Target Center on Monday, January 16.
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During the opening 12 minutes of game time, the backup guards combined to score 14 points on 5-5 shooting. Agbaji was 2/2 on three-pointers and added a block. Sexton contributed two rebounds and an assist.
oh boy, Ochai 🤑#TakeNote | @youngoch pic.twitter.com/ZUddpcxOJU
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 16, 2023
Both players played seven minutes during the quarter.
This season, Agbaji is averaging 3.5 points per game on 44.9 percent shooting, including 34.2 percent from downtown. The rookie from Kansas also averages 1.4 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.1 blocks, and 0.1 steals in 11.3 minutes per game.
Nđźš«HCAI #TakeNote | @youngoch pic.twitter.com/gMcR2xllC1
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 16, 2023
Sexton is averaging 14.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.1 blocks, and 0.6 steals in 24.1 minutes per game.
Utah’s game against Minnesota is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.
Jazz vs. Timberwolves
After losing to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Jazz travel to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves after their win over the Cavaliers.
The Timberwolves have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA to start the new year after a difficult close to December.
Minnesota had lost six straight to close the month but has responded by winning six of their last seven to open the year.
Gobert had been a critical piece in the team’s sudden success averaging 14.7 points and 12.3 rebounds during the stretch.
The former Jazz center’s status for the game will be worth watching after suffering a groin injury against the Cavaliers.
LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz are in Minnesota for an MLK matinee against the @Timberwolves on https://t.co/4kU961UAvR and the @KSLSportsZone.#TakeNote https://t.co/nA7X1goZif pic.twitter.com/LY82rxkjpZ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 16, 2023
The game could have playoff implications as the Jazz entered the contest trailing the Timberwolves by one game in the Western Conference standings. Minnesota owned the sixth seed in the West after Saturday’s win, but was tied with the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers in the standings.
The Jazz and Timberwolves have split their first two games of the season with each team winning on the other’s home floor.
The teams last met on December 9 in a 118-108 Timberwolves victory. The game ended in controversy after Gobert’s last-second layup with the game already in hand rubbed some players on the Jazz the wrong way.