#9 – Hood goes off for improbable win in Mitchell’s absence – December 21
With Donovan Mitchell dealing with a toe injury, Rodney Hood stepped up to help Utah defeat San Antonio 100-89.
Remembering this game now is a little awkward considering that the star of the contest, Rodney Hood, is no longer with the Jazz. Nevertheless, at the time it was an incredible game and certainly stands out as one of the most memorable.
Stuck in the dismal month of December where wins were few and far between, the Jazz were taking a three-game losing streak into this back end of a back-to-back bout against the San Antonio Spurs. To make matters worse, Donovan Mitchell wasn’t available for the contest due to a bruised toe. In other words, their chances of winning seemed bleak at best.
Even without Mitchell, though, the Utah Jazz built a nice lead in the second quarter. Unfortunately, by the end of the third, it had nearly entirely dissipated. Then, in the final period, it was the Rodney Hood show.
Hood capped off a 29-point night with 11 points in the fourth quarter. He hit big shot after big shot to put the Jazz on top for good. Rodney finished shooting 50 percent from the field and led the Jazz to a 100-89 win. His performance caused Gregg Popovich to state after the game, “‘You noticed he was pretty good, huh?”
Sadly, things haven’t gone so well for Rodney since leaving the Jazz, but this contest was still one of his best moments as a Jazzman in the 2017-18 season. Many counted the Jazz out with Mitchell sidelined, but Hood answered the call and led Utah to an improbable and incredible win.