HUGE SETBACK: UTAH JAZZ COACH HAS BEING ACCUSED OF BEEN REPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATH OF......

Jazz Play Well But Cannot Win Against Nuggets

In Salt Lake City, the Utah Jazz endured their thirteenth consecutive defeat, succumbing to a 111-95 loss against the Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets at the Delta Centre.

Despite missing key players such as Lauri Markkanen (shoulder), John Collins (back), Jordan Clarkson (SI), Walker Kessler (nose), Kris Dunn (foot), and Collin Sexton (illness), the Jazz were led by Talen Horton-Tucker, who notched 24 points on 10-23 shooting.

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray showcased their prowess for the Nuggets, combining for 56 points on 23-40 shooting to secure the victory.

Although the Jazz managed to keep the game competitive for the first 42 minutes, Murray’s pivotal 10-point streak in the fourth quarter propelled the Nuggets to a late-game surge.

The Impact of Jordan Clarkson’s Absence on the Jazz
Amidst the myriad narratives surrounding the Jazz’s struggles, including their 3-24 record since the NBA trade deadline, lies the significant impact of Jordan Clarkson’s absence on the team, particularly on rookie Keyonte George.

Initially displaying impressive statistics with a 40 percent field goal percentage, 36 percent three-point shooting accuracy, and minimal turnovers in his first 58 games with the Jazz, George’s performance has sharply declined.

Leading up to the matchup against Denver, the 20-year-old’s shooting percentages plummeted to 33 percent from the field, 20 percent from beyond the arc, and an average of 3.7 turnovers per game over his last 13 appearances.

George encountered further struggles against the Nuggets, scoring 10 points on 4-11 shooting, including a 2-9 performance from three-point range, while committing five turnovers in 30 minutes of play.

Clarkson’s absence has significantly altered George’s role within the team dynamics, attracting tougher defensive assignments and increased defensive focus from opponents.

The decline in George’s shooting efficiency coincided with Clarkson’s absence, beginning with a challenging performance against the Atlanta Hawks on March 15, which marked the start of Clarkson’s extended absence from the rotation, missing 13 out of 14 subsequent games.

In addition to affecting George’s shooting accuracy, Clarkson’s absence has heightened the pressure on George, leading to fatigue and increased defensive pressure throughout the game, as noted by team spokesperson Hardy.