Jordan Clarkson scores 38, Jazz pull away to beat Wizards
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) shoots against the Washington Wizards during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 4, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
SALT LAKE CITY — Jordan Clarkson scored a season-high 38 points, including a 12-0 run down the stretch, to boost the Utah Jazz over the Washington Wizards 127-115 on Monday night in the NBA.
Collin Sexton scored 29 points and John Collins added 17 points, 15 rebounds and a career-high six blocks for Utah (28-34), who had lost eight of nine.
The Wizards led 113-111 with 5:21 to play but didn’t make another field goal the rest of the way and extended their losing streak to 15.
Clarkson made 5 of 6 shots in his game-deciding surge and now has the most 30-plus point games as a reserve in team history. He also tallied 10 rebounds and seven assists to lead the short-handed Jazz.
READ: Jordan Clarkson leads Jazz past Bucks
Jordan Clarkson (38 PTS) set a new franchise record for most 30+ point games off the bench in the Jazz win against the Wizards! pic.twitter.com/qKkQYUSqk7
— NBA (@NBA) March 5, 2024
Jordan Poole scored 32 points, Kyle Kuzma had 23 and Tyus Jones added 21 for Washington (9-52). Kuzma passed 8,000 points in his career.
The Jazz played without leading scorer Lauri Markkanen (thigh) and defensive anchor Walker Kessler (foot). Keyonte George played six scoreless minutes before exiting with an illness while fellow rookie starter Taylor Hendricks left later in the first half with a sprained toe.
George had averaged 20.0 points and 6.0 assists over the previous six games and made more 3-pointers than any other player except Steph Curry during that span.
Though the two teams own the two worst records since the All-Star break, their combined shooting from distance (41%) in this one, against the two struggling defenses, was stellar.
READ: Jordan Clarkson posts first Jazz triple-double since 2008
Washington outscored the Jazz on fast break points, 33-14, but couldn’t score when it mattered most.
The Wizards are just one loss from setting the franchise record for consecutive losses at 16, set in March 2010. The streak began after Gilbert Arenas was suspended for bringing guns into the locker room, and fellow starters Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler were traded.
Poole made his first eight shots, including five 3s, as the Wizards led by as many as 14 points in the first half.
But, as has happened so often this season, the Wizards allowed some colossal game-changing runs. After trailing 56-42, the Jazz scored 17 points in a row on eight straight possessions, capped by Johnny Juzang’s layup.
Behind Poole’s sharpshooting, the Wizards scored a season-high 41 points in the first quarter and led at the half, 75-74.
NEXT SCHEDULE
Wizards: Host Orlando on Wednesday night.
Jazz: Host Chicago on Wednesday night.
