Brice Sensabaugh has gone on a hot streak for the Utah Jazz. Since February 24, he's averaged 14.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists over the last nine games, per NBA.com. That includes shooting 47.6% from the field and 45.2% from three.
He made himself known when the Jazz pulled off a near-comeback against the reigning champions. They would have never gotten as close as they did had Sensabaugh not gotten hot in the fourth quarter.
This isn't the first hot stretch he's had this season. Sensabaugh has had multiple hot streaks, including scoring a career-high 34 points in a rare Jazz win over the Miami Heat. Sure, he's trailed off for stretches, but following a rookie season in which he did next to nothing, Sensabaugh has shown he's an NBA player, and his impressive play has shown itself over the past few weeks.
What he's doing now couldn't be more timely because one certain writer for The J-Notes floated the idea that Sensabaugh might not be a long-term fixture in Utah following his struggles along with Keyonte George's midseason breakout.
Nothing like a good reverse jinx, is there? Even if there are still questions about Sensabaugh (and we'll get there), he is again showing why the Jazz should believe in him. In a rebuild, teams want guys who can take their role and run with it. Sensabaugh isn't necessarily there, but compared to where he was at this time last year, he's made unquestionable progress.
Sensabaugh might not be the Jazz's most important player long-term, but he's not a waste of a roster spot who has played well enough to deserve an even closer look in Year 3. Being skeptical of him while he develops is also clearly not a good idea.
That doesn't mean he's out of the woods yet
Please make no mistake: Sensabaugh's showing out in his second season is very encouraging for the Jazz. He gives them another youngster to be excited about, but his inconsistency will remain until he moves past them—if he moves past them.
It's exciting to have a youngster who can score, but his scoring can't come only in spurts if he wants to show the Jazz that he truly is a keeper. They've already had a youngster like that, and the whole experience with him was pretty frustrating.
Until Sensabaugh proves he can score at this rate throughout an entire season instead of hot and cold stretches, he won't shake the Rodney Hood comparisons. Still, Sensabaugh took a major step forward this season, which hardly anyone saw coming, yet everyone has welcomed him with open arms.