19-1 Run Leads Utah Jazz To 40-Point First Quarter Against Sacramento
Mar 20, 2023, 7:45 PM | Updated: Mar 21, 2023, 10:39 am
SALT LAKE CITY –ย Sacramento entered, assured of a playoff birth while Utah is on the outside looking in, but the roles were reversed early in Salt Lake City. Utah used a 19-1 run to take a 38-16 lead with 3:55 left.
The Jazz (34-36, 11th in West) is hosting the Sacramento Kings (43-27, 2nd in West) at Vivint Arena on Monday, March 20.
๐ฃ๏ธ If it ain't made by Ochai,,, #TakeNote | @youngoch pic.twitter.com/7xwyxKhM10
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 21, 2023
First-year player Ochai Agbaji played a key role in the Jazz’s hot start.
Making the 11th start of his career, Agbaji finished the quarter with a team-high eight points while pulling down three rebounds, adding two assists and a block.
The energy of Agbaji, fellow rookie Walker Kessler and 22-year-old Talen Horton Tucker was palpable throughout the quarter.
both @WalkerKessler and the bald eagle have a 7'6' wingspan ๐ฆ
coincidence? pic.twitter.com/SgsKSscey0
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 21, 2023
Ochai wanted in on the ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข ๐#TakeNote | @youngoch pic.twitter.com/U7YZvDjeaS
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 21, 2023
Utah ended the quarter on a 21-4 run, outscoring Sacramento 40-19 in the opening 12 minutes. The 21-point first-quarter lead was the largest advantage after one quarter for the Jazz all season.
Kessler had two points, two rebounds, and two blocked shots. Horton-Tucker scored eight points while adding two rebounds and two assists
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 ๐ค๐
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 Mondayโs 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.
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Utah Jazz vs. Sacramento Kings
The Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings is being broadcast on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard onย 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed onย DirecTV Streamย andย FuboTV.
