NBA: Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton push red-hot Jazz past Clippers
FILE – Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz shoots against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on October 23, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images/AFP
Jordan Clarkson scored 23 points and Collin Sexton added nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter as the visiting Utah Jazz continued their hot start to the season with a 110-102 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
Lauri Markkanen added 18 points and nine rebounds as Utah won its second consecutive game at Los Angeles after a three-game road losing streak, the only losses the Jazz have on the season. The Jazz defeated the host Lakers 130-116 on Friday.
Article continues after this advertisementPaul George scored 34 points and Marcus Morris Sr. added 18 as the Clippers saw their three-game winning streak come to an end. It was Los Angeles’ first loss in four games when George scored at least 30 points.
The Clippers led 96-92 with 5:35 remaining before the Jazz turned the tables on a 9-0 run to take a 101-96 advantage with 4:13 left. Malik Beasley had five points during the run, including a 3-point basket, and finished the game with 10.
A personal 5-0 run by Sexton in a late one-minute stretch gave Utah a 106-98 advantage with 2:41 remaining. Sexton’s dunk with 54.3 seconds remaining on a feed from Kelly Olynyk gave the Jazz a 108-102 lead to essentially seal the victory.
Article continues after this advertisementWin number 🎱, feeling great#TakeNote | @getcoinzoom pic.twitter.com/mH7HZ81ewa
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 7, 2022
Mike Conley had 17 points for the Jazz, while Terance Mann had 14 for the Clippers. Ivica Zubac and John Wall had 12 points apiece for Los Angeles.
The Clippers received 15 points in the first quarter from George, while the game was tied at 29-all after the opening period. George finished with 24 first-half points, but Clarkson had 17 in the first two quarters as Utah led 63-56 at the half.
The Clippers used a 29-21 advantage in the third quarter to take an 85-84 lead as George had 31 points through the first 36 minutes.
Jazz defensive standout Jarred Vanderbilt missed the game with right adductor soreness. The Clippers played their seventh consecutive game without star Kawhi Leonard (knee) as head coach Tyronn Lue said the All-Star forward is progressing toward a return.
