There are always some weird games in the NBA around the trade deadline. As players move from team to team around the league, there are going to be some weird lineups and shorthanded nights.
The Utah Jazz played with seven players and defeated the Indiana Pacers 131-122 on Tuesday night.
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The roster was in jeopardy in part due to some illness or injury, but mostly because the Jazz agreed to terms on a trade earlier in the day that would send four players to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for a contract, led by Jaren Jackson Jr.
With Tyler Hendricks, Walter Clayton Jr., and Kyle Anderson headed to Memphis (as well as an injured Georges Niang), Keyonte George out with a sprained left ankle, Kevin Love out with an illness, Jusuf Nurkic resting healthy, and all of their two-way players with SLC stars, the Jazz don’t have a lot of wiggle room on the active roster in Indiana.
Earlier in the night, Jazz head coach Will Hardy decided to let Isaiah Collier shoulder a considerable load and play the entire 48 minutes of the game.
“I reminded him in the first half that this was my plan after he committed a meaningless foul,” Hardy said. “I was like, ‘Hey man, if you keep doing this, we’re going to ruin this part of the program.'” … We had to do what we had to do tonight to finish the game. “
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Ace Bailey and Cody Williams also played 40 minutes each, and all seven players on the court scored in double figures, with Lauri Markkanen leading the way with 27 points. But in order for all seven players to finally have a chance to score in double figures, a point guard is needed to step up.
That’s an understatement for Collier, who dished out a staggering 22 assists and only committed two turnovers on the night, finishing with 17 points.
“Zay picks his spots, that’s not the same thing,” Hardy said, praising Collier. “His transition ability has always been at a very high level. But in the half-court offense — some drives and kicks, he found Flip in the pocket, hit Lawrie in the pocket, read the rush sheet well. … Overall, he showed poise and maturity as a point guard.”
The Jazz are currently on a five-game road trip that will continue with games in Atlanta, Orlando and Miami before returning to Utah. At some point, the newly acquired Jackson, along with the other three players in the trade (John Konchar, Joc Landale and Vince Williams Jr.) will join the team.
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With players due to undergo physicals following trades and required travel, it’s unclear when the Jazz’s short-handed roster will get some help — but it’s clear that help is coming.
