Ranking each Utah Jazz player in season-opening win
By Matt Giles
5. Evaluating Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles against the Thunder
Stats for Joe Ingles:
- 26 minutes
- 14 points
- 5-for-8 from the field, 4-for-7 from three
- Three rebounds
- Three assists
- Zero steals
- Zero blocks
- Zero turnovers
- One foul
Alongside Hassan Whiteside, Utah Jazz treasure Joe Ingles was one of the first two bench weapons to enter the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, it took Ingles longer than Whiteside to heat up and contribute to the box score. His only stat throughout the last seven minutes of the first quarter was a missed 3-pointer.
The 34-year-old Australian’s defense is still lacking. And he’s not going to wow anyone with his speed on either end of the floor, especially now that he’s at the age when most NBA players begin to see their athleticism taper off considerably. But at least for now, Ingles still looks to be as dangerous of an offensive weapon as he’s ever been in his eight years with the Jazz.
His mini splash parties from downtown at the beginning of the second quarter and late in the game are evidence of that.
Player grade: 86 (B)