Rookies Lead Utah Jazz To Early Advantage Against Sacramento

SALT LAKE CITY – A Walker Kessler blocked shot turned into three points from Ocahi Agbaji on the other end as the Jazz played well in the first quarter.

The Jazz (34-36, 11th in West) is hosting the Sacramento Kings (43-27, 2nd in West) at Vivint Arena on Monday, March 20.

just a couple rookies doin' their thing 🖤@WalkerKessler13 | @youngoch pic.twitter.com/LzRiGAnJXR

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 21, 2023

Kessler denied all-star center Domantas Sabonis at the rim, leading to a Jazz fast break. Talen Horton-Tucker snatched the rebound and raced into the front court before finding Agbaji for a corner three. The shot gave Utah a 5-2 lead.

Kelly Olynyk and Agbaji lead the Jazz with eight first quarter points. Utah has limited the Kings to 31.6 percent shooting to take a 32-16 lead with 3:55 to play.

RELATED: Jazz Host Kings With Playoff Standings On The Line

Shorthanded Utah Jazz

Utah is playing without Collin Sexton, who is missing his 11th straight game due to a hamstring injury while Jordan Clarkson is out for the sixth straight game with a finger injury.

All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen is also out against Sacramento with a sore back.

UPDATED Jazz Injury Report (as of 3/20):

*OUT – Lauri Markkanen (back soreness)

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

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

OUT – Collin Sexton (left hamstring strain)

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 20, 2023

The team is amid a four-game homestand that opened on Saturday with a win against the Boston Celtics and concludes with matchups Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers and Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

With 12 games left to play, the Jazz are within 1.5 games of both the sixth seed and the 12th seed in the West.

RELATED: Clutch Rookies Push Jazz Past Celtics

Can Sacramento Kings Maintain 2-Seed?

The Kings are looking to close the season strong and lock up the second seed in the West ahead of the fledging Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies were in sole control of the second seed and homecourt advantage from December 20-March 15, but a series of injuries and on-and-off-the-floor mishaps have rattled the team over recent weeks.

Domas put up a double-double in The District 😤👑

30 PTS | 10 AST | 9 REB | 10/12 FG pic.twitter.com/Vic1tvHuHT

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) March 19, 2023

The Kings are 14-4 over their last 18 games heading into Monday’s matchup with the Jazz and sit 5.5 games clear of the fourth seed in the West.

Sacramento is 2-0 this season in matchups against the Jazz.

Utah Jazz vs. Sacramento Kings

The Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings is being broadcast 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.

Follow @bpreece24