NBA: Talen Horton-Tucker’s 41 points propel Jazz past Spurs
Utah Jazz forward Talen Horton-Tucker (0) drives to the basket while defended by San Antonio Spurs forwards Zach Collins (23) and Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Talen Horton-Tucker scored a career-high 41 points, including 27 in the first half, as the visiting Utah Jazz turned it on in the fourth quarter to run away from the San Antonio Spurs 128-117 on Wednesday.
The Jazz (36-40) snapped a four-game losing streak while the Spurs (19-57) dropped their fifth straight game.
Utah led by two points at halftime and by five after three quarters before taking charge early in the fourth via a 15-2 surge that pushed their advantage to 118-90 with 8:12 to play. San Antonio never seriously challenged the rest of the way.
Kris Dunn added 17 points for Utah, while Udoka Azubuike scored 12, Ochai Agbaji and Johnny Juzang hit for 10 each and Walker Kessler grabbed 10 rebounds.
The Jazz were without Lauri Markkanen (hand), Jordan Clarkson (finger), Collin Sexton (hamstring), Rudy Gay (back) and Kelly Olynyk (non-COVID illness).
🗣️ TALEN HORTON-TUCKER WENT OFF
41 PTS (career-high)
6 3PM (career-high)
5 AST
52.3 FPTS #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/9TIdnl3MCN— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) March 30, 2023
Malaki Branham led the Spurs with 21 points while Devonte’ Graham, Tre Jones and Sandro Mamukelashvili had 17 points each, Keita Bates-Diop scored 15 and Zach Collins added 12.
San Antonio was missing Keldon Johnson (foot), Jeremy Sochan (knee) and Devin Vassell (knee).
It was the final home game for the Spurs this season in San Antonio, as they play two games in Austin, Texas, on April 6 and 8.
The Jazz took the lead late in the first quarter, breaking away from a 22-22 tie by ending the period with a flurry that netted them a five-point lead before setting for a 36-33 advantage after 12 minutes of play. Horton-Tucker poured in 16 of Utah’s first 22 points.
Utah expanded the margin to nine points on a layup by Dunn at the 4:23 mark of the second period. The Spurs answered with a 16-6 run that was capped by back-to-back 3-pointers from Graham to go up 60-59 with 1:21 to play in the half. Dunn’s buzzer-beater staked the Jazz to a 64-62 lead at the break.
