Newcomers Spark Jazz In First Half Against Nuggets
Oct 19, 2022, 8:20 PM | Updated: 9:04 pm
Kelly Olynyk #41 of the Utah Jazz looks to pass around Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets at Vivint Arena on October 19, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – With only four returning players from last season, the Utah Jazz got a massive spark from their newcomers against the Nuggets on Wednesday.
Facing a talented Nuggets team, the Jazz put up 75 points in the first half and had a 75-53 lead at the break. Lauri Markkanen led the way with 13 points, including 3-of-4 shooting from downtown. Kelly Olynyk chipped in eight points. Jarred Vanderbilt nearly had a double-double with seven points and 12 rebounds.
Walker Kessler had five points and six rebounds in the first half of his NBA debut. Collin Sexton dropped eight points, Malik Beasley had nine points and Talen Horton-Tucker added three points.
The Jazz shot 11-for-22 from the three-point line in the first half.
For Denver, Aaron Gordon led the way with 16 points. Nikola Jokic dropped 14 points.
vibes on display pic.twitter.com/nc9DFhN48t
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 20, 2022
New Faces On Jazz Season-Opening Roster
Kelly Olynyk – The tenth-year center was acquired in the Bojan Bogdanovic trade from the Detroit Pistons and started each game for the Jazz during the preseason.
Malik Beasley – The seventh-year guard joined the Jazz in the Rudy Gobert and figures to be a major part of the team’s offense, though he missed the team’s final two preseason games with a sprained ankle.
Lauri Markkanen – The sixth-year forward was acquired by the Jazz in the Donovan Mitchell trade and led the team in scoring during the preseason at 16.5 points per game.
Collin Sexton – The fifth-year guard was acquired by the Jazz in a sign-and-trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Mitchell, and will earn $71 million over the next four seasons.
Jarred Vanderbilt – The fifth-year forward was acquired by the Jazz in the Gobert trade and was a prominent part of the rotation during the preseason.
Talen Horton-Tucker – The fourth-year forward was sent to the Jazz by the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Patrick Beverley and was a fixture in the team’s second unit during the preseason.
Leandro Bolmaro – The second-year guard was acquired in the Gobert trade and was rarely used during the preseason but made the roster over Jared Butler.
Micah Potter – The second-year center signed a two-way contract with the Jazz but didn’t appear in any preseason games.
Ochai Agbaji – The rookie wing was acquired in the Mitchell trade from the Cavaliers after being selected with the 14th pick of June’s NBA Draft.
Simone Fontecchio – The Italian rookie forward joined the Jazz over the summer and played sparingly in preseason despite being the team’s only true free-agent signing.
Johnny Juzang – The rookie signed a two-way deal with the Jazz on draft night after going unselected out of UCLA.
Walker Kessler – The rookie center was acquired in the Gobert trade and was the Jazz most promising first-year player in each of the four preseason games.
The game is televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
