Russell Westbrook Makes History In Nuggets Win Over Jazz
Dec 30, 2024, 10:40 PM | Updated: Jan 2, 2025, 2:23 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz fell to the Denver Nuggets 132-121 extending their losing streak to four games.
Nikola Jokic scored 36 points to lead Denver, while Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 24 points off the bench.
Game Blog: Jazz Fall To Nuggets At Home
Russell Westbrook Is An All-Time Great Jazz Opponent
Love him or hate him, Russell Westbrook is one of the greatest opponents in Jazz history.
The future Hall of Famer recorded a 16 point, 10 rebound, 10 assist triple-double in 33 minutes on the floor on a perfect 7-7 shooting from the floor, 2-2 from the free throw line, while recording zero turnovers.
The guard is only the second player in NBA history to record a triple-double free of any missed shots or turnovers.
RUSSELL WESTBROOK’S PERFECT NIGHT:
🔥 16p, 10r, 10a, 4s, 0 turnovers
🔥 7-7 shooting, 2-2 from the lineHe joins Domantas Sabonis as the only players in NBA history to record a triple-double with no turnovers while shooting 100 FG% and 100 FT%. pic.twitter.com/8Tsz6z2X4w
— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2024
“To come out every night and bring that type of energy and force, game after game, year after year is really special,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said.
Monday’s performance marks the ninth triple-double Westbrook has recorded against the Jazz in his career, surpassing Magic Johnson as the most by any single opponent in Jazz history.
Paired with Jokic’s massive 36 point, 23 rebound, and 10 assist outing, he and Westbrook are the only teammates to record triple-doubles against the Jazz in the same game.
Per @Stathead, this is the first time a @utahjazz opponent has had two players record triple-doubles in the same game.
Russell Westbrook is also now the all-time leader in triple-doubles against the Jazz with 9, passing Magic Johnson’s 8.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) December 31, 2024
Beyond his prolific statistical contribution, Westbrook has evolved into a better teammate who is still finding new ways to help his team win.
“We all know he can he can play, he can pass, he can do whatever he needs to do to win, but just the small and intangible things that guys might be uncomfortable doing,” Jazz guard Keyonte George said.
“He’s using his voice out there every single time down the floor, making sure everybody’s organized.”
always a battle but the respect is never lost 🫡#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/FMth9D1RIx
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 31, 2024
Westbrook’s 1,197 career points scored are the ninth-most by any Jazz opponent in history, and second-most by an active player trailing only Kevin Durant’s 1,251.
“This is an every-night league,” Hardy added, “and I don’t care what anybody says about him, nobody’s ever going to say he doesn’t play hard.”
Keyonte George Returns From Ankle Injury
Second-year guard Keyonte George returned to the Jazz’s starting lineup after missing the previous four games with an ankle injury.
Before the injury, George was averaging 18.1 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.4 rebounds in seven games during the month of December.
The guard’s four-game absence is the second-longest of his career after missing six consecutive games last season with a sprained ankle.
the return is officially 𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 🔑🔓
tap in and let’s get Key to ASW ⭐️ | https://t.co/r0WqJC1lpF pic.twitter.com/aGpzQZAsFr
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 31, 2024
“I do think that being out is hard, and the good part for Keyonte is that generally, he plays a good chunk of minutes,” Hardy said.
Against the Nuggets, George recorded seven points, three rebounds, and six assists in 28 minutes on the floor.
“I think I continued to find the flow of the game throughout the game,” George said, “so it was good to be back on the floor.”
Jazz Record At The New Year After Nuggets Loss
Having played their final game of the 2024 calendar year, the Jazz own a record of 7-24 with 51 games left to play.
How does that compare to the team’s previous record at the New Year in recent lottery-bound seasons?
Last year the Jazz were 14-19 through December 31, owning the 12th-best record in the West ahead of the Memphis Grizzles, Portland Trail Blazers, and the San Antonio Spurs.
I know Jazz fans are worried about the team winning too many games right now.
I’d say enjoy them whenever they come at the moment, because when they hand this over to the young guys fully after the trade deadline, they’re going to be few and far between.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) December 31, 2024
The Jazz wound up with the eighth-worst record in the NBA at 31-51 at season’s end.
During the 2022-23 campaign, the Jazz were 19-20 through December 31 and finished with a record of 37-45, the ninth-worst in the NBA.
In 2013-14, the Jazz’s worst season of the last 20 years, the team was 10-24 at the New Year, worst in the West, and finished with a record of 25-57, tied for the worst in the NBA.
Currently, the Jazz own the fifth-worst record in the NBA, but their seven wins are tied for second-fewest in the league.
Utah Jazz Next Broadcast
The Jazz will travel to face the New York Knicks on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
