Shorthanded Utah Jazz should take pride in loss to Suns

The Utah Jazz were not supposed to keep last night’s contest close. A look at their injury report might have inspired some of their fans to pick a more relaxing activity than watching the game. Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles, Bojan Bogdanovic, Mike Conley and Royce O’Neale all sat this one out.

Somehow, the Jazz hung with the best team in the NBA, dropping this contest 115-109. It was probably the team’s best loss of the entire season.

Utah Jazz hang tough without starters

The Jazz were reminiscent of Rocky Balboa in the original Rocky in last night’s contest. Against all odds, they went the distance.

When the first quarter ended, the Jazz were down 31-21. It looked like it was about to be the long night that Jazz fans likely anticipated. Trent Forrest had other plans.

The Jazz cut Phoenix’s lead to 2 by halftime, trailing 58-56. Forrest led all Jazz scorers with 11 at that point. By the end of the contest, the Jazz were down 6, and Forrest had made the most of his opportunity with 17 points.

The shorthanded Jazz kept this one so close that Suns coach Monty Williams was forced to play the 37-year-old Chris Paul for a whopping 40 minutes. In all likelihood, the Point God was expecting an easy night.

The Utah Jazz wouldn’t give him one.

Utah Jazz prospects flash promise

Trent Forrest wasn’t the only Jazzman to make the most of his increased minutes. Jared Butler was dynamic in this contest, finishing with 13 points and 4 steals. Butler was all over the floor on both ends, refusing to give an inch. He went 3/4 from downtown, including two deep, unassisted threes off the dribble.

Between Forrest and Butler, the Jazz have at least two solid young pieces, whether they’re a part of this team’s future or valuable trade chips.

Utah Jazz veterans deliver

The Jazz didn’t run their entire offense through the kids in this contest either. Several veterans on the roster did what they could to keep this contest as close as it was.

Danuel House Jr is steadily making his case for a permanent roster spot. He finished with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.

For a player who’s largely expected to shoot 3s and play defense, such a well-rounded performance is a pleasant surprise. Nobody could claim that he hasn’t made good on his modest pay rate with the Jazz so far.

Rudy Gay continued to demonstrate that he can effectively increase his usage when he’s called upon to. The reliable veteran had 13 points on 4/9 shooting from the field, and 5 rebounds.

Jordan Clarkson had another excellent game in Donovan Mitchell’s absence. Not that we’re pushing some kind of agenda…

The reigning Sixth Man of the Year finished with 22 points on 9/20 shooting from the field. He was the best offensive player available for the Jazz last night, and the offense ran through him accordingly.

The Utah Jazz should be proud of their performance last night. They came closer to beating a healthy Suns team than anybody expected. Hopefully, they’ll get some of their key players back for the rematch tomorrow night.