SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz players Talen Horton-Tucker and Walker Kessler connected for an alley-oop slam dunk during the opening minutes of Utah’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.

The Hornets hosted the Jazz at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on Saturday, March 11.

With 10:39 remaining in the first quarter, Horton-Tucker threw a lob before Kessler leaped into the air and threw the ball through the cylinder with two hands.

The Horton-Tucker-Kessler connection gave Utah an early 6-0 lead.

Strong start for both teams as the @utahjazz lead the @hornets 17-13 midway through the first.

A quick four points and five boards for Walker Kessler. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/yamj7G9liE

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 12, 2023

During their first eight minutes on the hardwood, Horton-Tucker had four points, three rebounds, and three assists while Kessler scored four points on 2-2 field goals.

This season, Horton-Tucker is averaging 8.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.5 blocks, and 0.6 steals in 18.1 minutes per game. The Iowa State product has played in 54 games for the Jazz this season.

During his first 63 games this season, Kessler averaged 8.5 points per contest on 71.8 percent shooting. The rookie from Auburn is also recording 8.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 0.4 steals in 22.2 minutes per game.

The Jazz vs. Hornets game is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.

Jazz vs. Hornets

Coming off a win over Orlando Magic

The Jazz were without their top two players in the backcourt in their win against the Magic.

RELATED: Jazz Look To Build Win Streak Against Hornets

Jordan Clarkson missed his second straight game with a sprained finger while Collin Sexton missed his seventh straight game with a hamstring injury.

UPDATED @UtahJazz Injury Report (as of 3/11):

*OUT – Jordan Clarkson (left hand – fourth finger sprain)

OUT – Micah Potter (G League – Two-Way)

OUT – Collin Sexton (left hamstring strain)

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 11, 2023

The Jazz got 31 points from All-Star Lauri Markkanen and a season-high 23 points from Talen Horton-Tucker to snap their losing streak in Orlando.

Simone Fontecchio scored 17 points in 22 minutes off the bench while 10-day contract guard Kris Dunn added 12 points on 5-9 shooting.

Sexton will be reevaluated on Monday before the Jazz face the Miami Heat in their road trip finale. Clarkson is listed as questionable.

LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz vs. @hornets on https://t.co/4kU961V8lp and the @KSLSportsZone.#TakeNote https://t.co/xDmxQtQpFA pic.twitter.com/Ui0ahlFNEc

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 12, 2023

Hornets Playing Better Basketball

The Jazz will face a Hornets team that has won back-to-back games and seven of their last 10 overall, their best basketball of the season.

Charlotte is coming off victories over the New York Knicks on Tuesday and the Detroit Pistons on Thursday with both wins coming on the road.

Kelly Oubre scored 27 points in the victory while former Jazzman Gordon Hayward had one of his worst game of the season.

Hayward scored two points on 1-9 shooting after averaging 19.7 points per game over the previous 10 games.

The Jazz represent the first opponent in a five-game homestand for the Hornets.

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