Something is happening in Utah!
The Utah Jazz took on the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday night, and it was a beautiful display of basketball at the highest level. Whenever you have two hungry teams going at it, especially this early in the season? As a basketball fan, you know that you are in for a real treat! This game needed overtime, where it came down to the wire as the Jazz took home the win with an insane layup by Kelly Olynk as time expired.
Following the game, Olnyk had the following to say about this year’s Jazz team:
“Top to bottom, guys are playing hard, playing the right way, playing together, unselfish,” Olynyk said. “It’s been really fun to play the first three games. We’re getting better and learning more about each others’ games, it’s been showing, and it’s exciting.”
The Jazz was down by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter. However, the team did not panic and stayed on the course. Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen was a huge spark for the team, finishing the game with 31 points on 9-17 shooting from the field and 12 rebounds. Markkanen also was a perfect 11/11 from the free throw line, hitting some clutch ones late to pad Utah’s come-from-behind victory and keep them undefeated.
While the Pelicans fought hard and left Utah with the loss, they also lost Zion Williamson late in the 4th due to injury after he took a hard fall on a fastbreak play. The team ruled the injury a posterior hip contusion, and they will continue to evaluate Williamson’s condition. Their next game is not until Tuesday, so we should expect an update on Williamson’s status later Monday or by gametime on Tuesday.
While still early in the season, it is clear that these two teams are ones that we should keep an eye on as the season progresses.
