Jazz Forward Simone Fontecchio Posts Strong Start Against Thunder
Dec 11, 2023, 6:27 PM | Updated: 7:58 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio got his game going early with a strong start in Utah’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Fontecchio starts fast against Thunder
The Thunder hosted the Jazz at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Monday, December 11.
During the opening 5:13 of game time, Fontecchio scored a quick seven points on 3-5 shooting, including 1-2 from beyond the arc.
. D
U
SIMONE
K pic.twitter.com/QqoJeqdHUQ— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 12, 2023
Utah trailed Oklahoma at the first timeout, 12-9.
A few minutes later, Fontecchio hit another three-pointer to stretch his total to 10 points. It was the seventh time in Fontecchio’s career that the forward hit double-digits in scoring in a single quarter. His career-high for a quarter is 13 points.
Simo 𝘴𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩 to get things started 🏊♂️#TakeNote | @simofonte13 pic.twitter.com/AUSHwkvfr8
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 12, 2023
This season, the Italian forward is averaging 7.3 points per contest on 42.6 percent shooting. Fontecchio also averages 2.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.4 blocks, and 0.4 steals in 18.8 minutes per game.
LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz are on the road to face the @okcthunder on the @kslsports app, @KSLSportsZone and: https://t.co/ITnqqpM6Om pic.twitter.com/XKgGxvZ7Nq
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 12, 2023
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Jazz vs. Thunder
The Jazz will be shorthanded once again when they travel to face the Thunder on Monday night.
Still, without Lauri Markkanen who has missed the team’s last seven games, center Walker Kessler is also on the injury report due to foot soreness, while John Collins is out with an illness.
The Thunder meanwhile will be without Luguentz Dort due to a left ankle sprain.
Jazz Are NBA’s Worst Road Team
The Jazz will look to earn a rare road win when they travel to Oklahoma City.
The @utahjazz will be extra shorthanded tonight when they face the @okcthunder. #TakeNote https://t.co/GTSSHKITvd
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 11, 2023
At 1-10, the Jazz are tied with the Detroit Pistons for the worst road record in the NBA, and own the league’s worst net rating away from home at -18.9.
The team hasn’t won on the road in over a month with their lone road victory coming in Memphis against the Grizzlies on November 10.
The Jazz’s 1-10 start on the road is the second-worst in franchise history, and are two consecutive road losses away from matching their worst start since moving to Salt Lake City in 1979.
Thunder Own Second Best Record In West
After missing the playoffs for three straight seasons the Thunder look poised to make noise in the Western Conference postseason race.
The Thunder own the second-best record in the West at 14-7 and have done so with a balanced attack on both ends of the floor.
It's gameday in OKC ⚡️
🆚 @utahjazz
📍 @PaycomCenter
⏰ 7 PM CT
🎟 https://t.co/tdRNPotsJi
📺 @BallySportsOK
📻 @sportsanimal #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/GG9NJPZPCe— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 11, 2023
Oklahoma City owns the league’s eighth-best offensive rating and the sixth-best defensive rating.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is looking to repeat as an All-NBA first-team member averaging 30.5 points per game, while Chet Holmgren is vying for the Rookie of the Year award averaging 17.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. He’s also co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Threads (@kyleirelandksl), Instagram (@kyleirelandksl). and X (@kyleireland).
