Dwyane Wade Plays In Utah For Last Time Before Retirement

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – It was the last dance for Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade against the Utah Jazz in a 111-84 blowout win for Utah.

The 16-year veteran announced prior to the season that this year would be his last in the NBA. As such, he’s getting a sent off from each team he faces for the final time. The Jazz honored Wade with a special introduction and a standing ovation from the crowd as he entered the game in the first quarter.

In 26 career games prior to Wednesday’s contest, Wade held a 24.8 points per game against Utah, one of his highest averages against any team.

Wade Goes For 50 Versus Utah

Wade had one of the best games of his career against Utah. On March 14, 2009, he scored 50 points while playing 52 minutes of the game. He also made it a double-double with 10 rebounds and nearly had a triple-double, finishing just shy of double-figure assists with nine.

The Heat won 140-129 in a game that went for three overtimes in Miami.

Interestingly, recently reacquired Jazzman Kyle Korver played in that game as well. He was in his first stint with the team and scored 25 points with four 3-pointers made in that contest.

Wade Beats The Buzzer

Two years earlier, on December 22, 2007, Wade denied a would-be comeback win by the Jazz with a game-winning buzzer beater to beat Utah 104-102. In that game, he finished with 20 points.

Wade’s Impact On Mitchell

In likely his final game in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Wade went for just six points in 18 minutes. Still the impact he made on the Jazz’s young stud Donovan Mitchell was the story of the game.

After the game, Mitchell reflected on what Wade, his mentor, meant to him.

On what Wade taught him, Mitchell mentioned patience, life in general and “how to be an NBA player on and off the floor.”

Mitchell finished with 21 points in the contest.