Salt Lake City – The Utah Jazz defeated Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers on an emotional night in Salt Lake City.
Mitchell’s comeback was phenomenal, matching his career-high 46 in a regular season Jazz uniform.
But it was Jordan Clarkson’s 32 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, that gave the Jazz a 116-114 victory.
Clarkson’s Fourth Quarter Miracle
Mitchell was the man of the night, but it was Clarkson who stole the show.
With the Jazz trailing 107-102 with 1:23 remaining, Clarkson committed a flagrant foul on a 3-point shot made as Cavaliers winger Caris LeVert slid under his feet as he fell to the ground. bottom.
Clarkson knocked down the free throw and the Jazz held the ball.
In the ensuing position, Clarkson drew another foul on a three-point attempt and knocked down three more free throws to turn a five-point deficit into a 109–107 lead.
LeVert missed a 3 of his own on the next Cavaliers possession, turning into a Clarkson running floater from 9 feet out to give the Jazz a 111-107 lead with just 40 seconds remaining.
Donovan Mitchell had 46 runs, but Jordan Clarkson’s personal 9-0 run in the second half of the 4th inning set the game straight. @ Utah Jazz A miracle 116-114 victory. #take notes https://t.co/a3P7eBi6fb
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 11, 2023
With just 43 seconds to go, Clarkson made a personal 9–0 run to revive the Jazz from a near-certain loss, ruining Mitchell’s comeback in the process.
“JC was huge for us in the second half. I think he scored 24 points in the second half. ”Jazz coach Will Hardy joked after the game.
But it wasn’t just Clarkson’s fourth quarter that proved the difference.
As a team, the Jazz shot 10-36 from the 27% 3-point line. It was Clarkson who proved to be the exception, knocking down half of the Jazz’s three-point make on 11 attempts, matching Mitchell’s excellent performance against his former team.
Mitchell wants a healthy relationship with Utah
Even after the Cavaliers struggled, Mitchell provided time during the postgame media session to answer questions about his time in Utah.
After a tumultuous exit from the team, Guard was happy to receive a warm welcome from jazz fans upon his return.
“The welcome has been phenomenal. Thank you from everyone. The compliments have been great,” Mitchell said. “It felt like a typical jazz night.
Mitchell was the best player on the floor from the opening chip to the final buzzer, leading all scorers with an efficient 14-27 shooting and a perfect 11-11 night at the free throw line.
Donovan Mitchell returned to Vivint Arena with 46 points shooting over 50% from the field. He did not miss a free throw on 11 attempts with his three shot completion percentage just under 40% of his.#take notes #LetEmKnow #NBA https://t.co/1tqnKUv55v
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 11, 2023
While Mitchell is delighted to be back at Vivint Arena, he also said he hopes to maintain strong ties and make a positive impact on the Utah community he has called home over the past five seasons.
“We’ve done a lot to inspire change on and off the floor, and I think that’s what we’ll keep forever. That’s my biggest thing,” Mitchell said. rice field.
Fans have always shown their love for Mitchell on the floor, but his time in Utah hasn’t always been easy. Guards were powerful voices for social and racial inequality, and spoke openly about the problems they saw and experienced in the state.
Mitchell has always wanted to acknowledge the success he felt off the floor when he reiterated the importance of an issue he spoke of frequently as a member of Jazz.
“It’s easy to point out the negatives. We live in a world where everything flows into it,” Mitchell said. “But at the end of the day, we’ve done a lot of good things, and I think that’s something I always want to emphasize, but I’m not going to stop using my voice in ways that make me feel like myself. should do it.”
Mitchell gives Kessler advice after game
In a once familiar sight as a member of the Jazz, Mitchell used his knowledge of the game and his willingness to teach to help his opponents improve their game after losing.
Shortly after the final buzzer sounded, the former Jazzman pulled Walker Kessler aside and offered tips on how to better evolve his game.
After all, Kessler made a big impact on Mitchell’s 46-point night, but not in a way that helped the Jazz.
“He calls out what coverage is going to happen before he attends,” Mitchell said. “So I knew ahead of time what he was going to do. As he calls ‘the drop’, it means he’s coming back.
Jazz win!!! pic.twitter.com/afSCvf8vwh
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2023
Mitchell thrashed a 7-18 3-point attempt in his comeback and accounted for all but three of the Cavaliers’ downtown successes.
“When you play against guys who shoot threes off the dribble, they say they’re going for you,” Mitchell said. “Don’t tell them the exam answers.”
Despite Kessler’s rookie mistake, Mitchell praised the first-round draft pick.
“He’s going to be a good boy, a humble boy, right? He’s going to be firm.”
Bickertstaff admires unique Markkanen, Mitchell
The hit Jazz-Cavaliers trade that sent Mitchell to Cleveland received early positive reviews from both sides.
Before the game, Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff praised the two All-Star contenders for their unique ability to adapt to new environments.
“I don’t think Lauri and Donovan are normal,” said Bickerstaff. “I think they’re very talented and put them where they’re best suited. And I think that’s what happened here.”
Markkanen’s trajectory in the NBA seemed to have reached a plateau in Chicago and Cleveland before his breakout performance with the Finnish national team last summer. He took that momentum to Utah and quickly became the number one man.
Similarly, Mitchell’s numbers peaked in Utah and dipped in his final season with the Jazz. But after being traded to the Cavaliers, he reached heights like never before.
“Will put him in a great position, but he was aggressive, he was a stud. There’s no doubt about that,” Bickerstaff said of Markkanen. He’s had a track record here in Utah, and he’s come to us and it’s opened up a little bit of opportunity for him, and he’s taking advantage of it.”
jazz next broadcast
The Utah Jazz and Orlando Magic take place Friday at 7:00 PM in Salt Lake City. The match aired on his AT&T SportsNet, 97.5 KSL Sports ZoneYou can also stream on DirecTV Stream When fubo tv.
