Game ID: 22300974
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Utah Jazz
Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 9:30 PM ET
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
UTA 19 29 24 28 100MIN 19 29 34 37 119
MIN @ UTA ScoutingMIN @ UTA Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
UTA availability going into 3/06 · 1 day's restOUT Kessler missed 3 since 2/29, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 36 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Preston missed 9 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Horton-Tucker back 2/27 after 2, 15 min since (76% of 20)
BACK Juzang back 2/25 after 4, 11 min since (61% of 19)
BACK Yurtseven back 2/25 after 2, 8 min since (73% of 11)
UTA availability going into 3/09 · 2 days' restOUT Markkanen missed 2 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Kessler missed 4 since 2/29, returns tonight: 24 min (105% of 23)
OUT Potter missed 37 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Preston missed 10 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Horton-Tucker back 2/27 after 2, 17 min since (88% of 20)
BACK Juzang back 3/04 after 3, 20 min since (109% of 19)
BACK Yurtseven back 3/02 after 2, 13 min since (112% of 11)
NEW Sexton 27 to 32 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 3/12 · 2 days' restOUT Markkanen missed 3 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Hendricks missed 2 since 3/06, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 38 since 12/18, returns tonight: 13 min (111% of 12)
OUT Preston missed 11 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Kessler back 3/09 after 4, 24 min since (105% of 23)
BACK Juzang back 3/04 after 3, 16 min since (84% of 19)
BACK Yurtseven back 3/02 after 2, 11 min since (94% of 11)
NEW Collins 28 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Sexton 27 to 33 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 3/15 · 2 days' restOUT Markkanen missed 4 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Hendricks missed 3 since 3/06, returns tonight: 19 min (91% of 21)
OUT Preston missed 12 since 2/12, returns tonight: 12 min (121% of 10)
BACK Kessler back 3/09 after 4, 22 min since (92% of 23)
BACK Juzang back 3/04 after 3, 16 min since (84% of 19)
BACK Potter back 3/12 after 38, 13 min since (111% of 12)
BACK Yurtseven back 3/02 after 2, 11 min since (94% of 11)
NEW Sexton 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Sensabaugh 18 to 24 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 3/16 · back-to-backOUT Markkanen missed 5 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Lofton Jr. missed 2 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Yurtseven missed 2 since 3/12, returns tonight: 18 min (155% of 11)
BACK Kessler back 3/09 after 4, 23 min since (99% of 23)
BACK Hendricks back 3/15 after 3, 19 min since (91% of 21)
BACK Juzang back 3/04 after 3, 18 min since (97% of 19)
BACK Potter back 3/12 after 38, 14 min since (117% of 12)
BACK Preston back 3/15 after 12, 12 min since (121% of 10)
NEW Sexton 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Dunn 19 to 24 min over the last 4
NEW Sensabaugh 18 to 27 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 3/18 · 1 day's restOUT Markkanen missed 6 since 3/04, returns tonight: 31 min (93% of 33)
OUT Clarkson missed 2 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Lofton Jr. missed 3 since 3/12, out tonight
BACK Kessler back 3/09 after 4, 25 min since (107% of 23)
BACK Hendricks back 3/15 after 3, 26 min since (123% of 21)
BACK Potter back 3/12 after 38, 13 min since (115% of 12)
BACK Yurtseven back 3/16 after 2, 18 min since (155% of 11)
BACK Preston back 3/15 after 12, 13 min since (123% of 10)
NEW George 27 to 34 min over the last 4
NEW Sexton 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Sensabaugh 18 to 28 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 3/20 · 1 day's restOUT Clarkson missed 3 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Lofton Jr. missed 4 since 3/12, out tonight
BACK Markkanen back 3/18 after 6, 31 min since (93% of 33)
BACK Kessler back 3/09 after 4, 26 min since (109% of 23)
BACK Hendricks back 3/15 after 3, 27 min since (125% of 21)
BACK Potter back 3/12 after 38, 13 min since (115% of 12)
BACK Yurtseven back 3/16 after 2, 18 min since (155% of 11)
BACK Preston back 3/15 after 12, 13 min since (123% of 10)
NEW George 27 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Sexton 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Sensabaugh 18 to 25 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 3/21 · back-to-backOUT Clarkson missed 4 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Lofton Jr. missed 5 since 3/12, out tonight
BACK Markkanen back 3/18 after 6, 31 min since (93% of 33)
BACK Hendricks back 3/15 after 3, 26 min since (122% of 21)
BACK Potter back 3/12 after 38, 14 min since (119% of 12)
BACK Yurtseven back 3/16 after 2, 11 min since (96% of 11)
BACK Preston back 3/15 after 12, 10 min since (95% of 10)
NEW Sexton 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Dunn 19 to 25 min over the last 4
UTA availability going into 3/23 · 1 day's restOUT Clarkson missed 5 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Lofton Jr. missed 6 since 3/12, out tonight
BACK Markkanen back 3/18 after 6, 33 min since (101% of 33)
BACK Hendricks back 3/15 after 3, 27 min since (124% of 21)
BACK Yurtseven back 3/16 after 2, 14 min since (124% of 11)
BACK Preston back 3/15 after 12, 10 min since (95% of 10)
NEW Sexton 27 to 32 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 3/07 · 2 days' restOUT McLaughlin missed 2 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Anderson back 3/03 after 2, 22 min since (101% of 21)
NEW Morris 13 to 19 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 3/08 · back-to-backOUT McLaughlin missed 3 since 3/03, returns tonight: 11 min (100% of 11)
BACK Anderson back 3/03 after 2, 24 min since (111% of 21)
MIN availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT Towns missed 2 since 3/07, out tonight
BACK Anderson back 3/03 after 2, 27 min since (124% of 21)
BACK McLaughlin back 3/08 after 3, 11 min since (100% of 11)
NEW Gobert 34 to 40 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT Towns missed 3 since 3/07, out tonight
OUT Morris missed 2 since 3/08, out tonight
BACK Anderson back 3/03 after 2, 27 min since (124% of 21)
BACK McLaughlin back 3/08 after 3, 16 min since (150% of 11)
MIN availability going into 3/16 · 3 days' restOUT Towns missed 4 since 3/07, out tonight
OUT Morris missed 3 since 3/08, returns tonight: 10 min (78% of 13)
BACK McLaughlin back 3/08 after 3, 16 min since (154% of 11)
NEW Reid 24 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Anderson 21 to 30 min over the last 4
MIN availability going into 3/18 · 1 day's restOUT Towns missed 5 since 3/07, out tonight
BACK Morris back 3/16 after 3, 10 min since (78% of 13)
BACK McLaughlin back 3/08 after 3, 16 min since (153% of 11)
NEW Reid 24 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Alexander-Walker 24 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Anderson 21 to 31 min over the last 4
MIN availability going into 3/19 · back-to-backOUT Gobert missed 2 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Towns missed 6 since 3/07, out tonight
BACK Morris back 3/16 after 3, 13 min since (98% of 13)
BACK McLaughlin back 3/08 after 3, 17 min since (164% of 11)
NEW Reid 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Alexander-Walker 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Anderson 21 to 32 min over the last 4
MIN availability going into 3/22 · 2 days' restOUT Gobert missed 3 since 3/16, returns tonight: 37 min (109% of 34)
OUT Towns missed 7 since 3/07, out tonight
BACK Morris back 3/16 after 3, 16 min since (123% of 13)
NEW Reid 24 to 29 min over the last 4
NEW Alexander-Walker 24 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Anderson 21 to 30 min over the last 4
NEW McLaughlin 11 to 19 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 3/24 · 1 day's restOUT Towns missed 8 since 3/07, out tonight
BACK Gobert back 3/22 after 3, 37 min since (109% of 34)
BACK Morris back 3/16 after 3, 17 min since (126% of 13)
NEW Anderson 21 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW McLaughlin 11 to 18 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 124, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 17 free throws a game; Clarkson at 24 and Sexton at 22 a game. Without Markkanen (5 straight), Lofton Jr. (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; Edwards at 28 and Reid at 18 a game. Without Towns (4 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 112 a night to Utah's 124 and the arc, Utah at 38 percent from three to Minnesota's 33. Call it Minnesota 117, Utah 114, Utah keeping it close.
3/06 vs CHI 117-119 — UTA notes
UTA lost 117-119. UTA shot 46% (44 of 96) to CHI's 50%, 15 of 47 from three. Collins led with 25 (11 of 20, 2 of 9 from three); Sexton added 24, Clarkson 15. Q4 was theirs, 34-26, the deficit cut from 10 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 93-83 against them. Horton-Tucker's -10 in 24 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/09 @ DEN 121-142 — UTA notes
UTA lost 121-142. UTA took 11 more shots (94 to 83), fed by 14 offensive rebounds, but shot 50% to DEN's 66%, 8 of 26 from three, and went to the line 25 times to DEN's 16 — 19 points from the stripe to their 13. George led with 29 (10 of 17, 5 of 8 from three); Clarkson added 22, Collins 19. Q3 was theirs, 44-24, the deficit cut from 34 to 14, but the other 3 periods went 118-77 against them. Clarkson's -29 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/12 vs BOS 107-123 — UTA notes
UTA lost 107-123. UTA shot 48% (41 of 86) to BOS's 47%, 15 of 32 from three, and got to the line just 11 times against 18 fouls committed. George led with 26 (9 of 17, 5 of 10 from three); Clarkson added 21, Sexton 20. Q3 was theirs, 34-26, the deficit cut from 15 to 7, but the other 3 periods went 97-73 against them. George's -26 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/15 vs ATL 124-122 — UTA notes
UTA won 124-122. UTA shot 51% (46 of 90) to ATL's 45%, 14 of 36 from three, and got to the line 20 times to ATL's 27. George led with 25 (8 of 19, 1 of 7 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Sexton added 21, Juzang 19. The hinge was Q1, 34-28: from level to 6 ahead. UTA trailed 61-62 at the half and won the second half 63-60. Sexton was the night's best plus/minus at +6.
3/16 vs MIN 100-119 — UTA notes
UTA lost 100-119. UTA shot 46% (38 of 83) to MIN's 47%, 6 of 26 from three, and went to the line 21 times to MIN's 15 — 18 points from the stripe to their 12. UTA turned it over 15 times to MIN's 8, and MIN turned those into 8 steals. Sexton led with 22 (9 of 16, 1 of 3 from three); George added 18, Hendricks 15. Q1 was theirs, 19-19, but the other 3 periods went 100-81 against them. Hendricks's -23 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/18 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 125, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; George at 24 and Sexton at 21 a game. Without Markkanen (6 straight), Clarkson (2 straight), Lofton Jr. (3 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 109, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 17 free throws a game; Edwards at 31 and Reid at 20 a game. Without Towns (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 109 a night to Utah's 125 and the glass, where Utah has been plus-3 a night and Minnesota minus-1. Call it Minnesota 117, Utah 113, Utah keeping it close.
3/20 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 109, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 15 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 28 and Jal. Williams at 18 a game. 3 days' rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 124, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 18 free throws a game; George at 23 and Sexton at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Clarkson (3 straight), Lofton Jr. (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 109 a night to Utah's 124. Call it OKC 122, Utah 111, OKC by 11.
3/21 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 106, shooting 50 percent and 31 from three, 20 free throws a game; Dončić at 26 and Irving at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Green (2 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 119, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 17 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and George at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Clarkson (4 straight), Lofton Jr. (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Dallas wins, and the game turns on the defense, Dallas allowing 106 a night to Utah's 119 and the arc, Utah at 36 percent from three to Dallas's 31. Call it Dallas 120, Utah 111.
3/23 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 111, shooting 51 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Ja. Green at 29 and Thompson at 17 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Whitmore (5 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 117, shooting 47 percent and 30 from three, 18 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and George at 17 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Clarkson (5 straight), Lofton Jr. (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the arc, Houston at 36 percent from three to Utah's 30 and the turnovers, Utah giving it away 15 times a game to Houston's 12. Call it Houston 120, Utah 111.
3/07 @ IND 113-111 — MIN notes
MIN won 113-111. MIN shot 47% (46 of 98) to IND's 51%, 7 of 25 from three. MIN turned it over 9 times to IND's 15. Edwards led with 44 (18 of 35, 3 of 7 from three, 5 of 8 at the line); Gobert added 18, Reid 13. The hinge was Q1, 33-23: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 17.
3/08 @ CLE 104-113 — MIN notes
MIN lost 104-113 in 1 overtime. MIN shot 41% (39 of 94) to CLE's 43%, 8 of 30 from three, and got to the line 22 times to CLE's 36. Reid led with 34 (10 of 18, 7 of 11 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Edwards added 19, McDaniels 13. Q3 was theirs, 30-25, turning a 4-point deficit into a 1-point lead, but the other 4 periods went 88-74 against them.
3/10 @ LAL 109-120 — MIN notes
MIN lost 109-120. MIN took 14 more shots (97 to 83), fed by 11 offensive rebounds, but shot 42% to LAL's 53%, 16 of 46 from three, and got to the line 13 times to LAL's 29. MIN turned it over 11 times to LAL's 19. The glass went 38-56 against them. Reid led with 25 (9 of 17, 5 of 10 from three); Edwards added 25, Alexander-Walker 15. Q2 was theirs, 40-37, the deficit cut from 4 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 83-69 against them. Conley's -24 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/12 @ LAC 118-100 — MIN notes
MIN won 118-100. MIN shot 51% (48 of 94) to LAC's 47%, 12 of 33 from three, and got to the line 14 times to LAC's 25. MIN turned it over 9 times to LAC's 18. The glass went 48-34 for them. Edwards led with 37 (15 of 29, 2 of 8 from three, 5 of 7 at the line); Alexander-Walker added 28, Conley 23. The hinge was Q3, 29-15: MIN came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 6, and the lead reached 22. MIN trailed 55-63 at the half and won the second half 63-37. McLaughlin was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
3/16 @ UTA 119-100 — MIN notes
MIN won 119-100. MIN shot 47% (44 of 93) to UTA's 46%, 19 of 41 from three, and got to the line 15 times to UTA's 21. MIN turned it over 8 times to UTA's 15. Edwards led with 31 (12 of 20, 5 of 7 from three); Conley added 25, Reid 22. The hinge was Q3, 34-24: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 21. Anderson was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
3/18 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 125, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; George at 24 and Sexton at 21 a game. Without Markkanen (6 straight), Clarkson (2 straight), Lofton Jr. (3 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 109, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 17 free throws a game; Edwards at 31 and Reid at 20 a game. Without Towns (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 109 a night to Utah's 125 and the glass, where Utah has been plus-3 a night and Minnesota minus-1. Call it Minnesota 117, Utah 113, Utah keeping it close.
3/19 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 15 free throws a game; Edwards at 29 and Reid at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Gobert (2 straight), Towns (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 108, shooting 54 percent and 42 from three, 16 free throws a game; Jokić at 24 and Murray at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the arc, Denver at 42 percent from three to Minnesota's 37. Call it Minnesota 112, Denver 111, Denver keeping it close.
3/22 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 108, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 15 free throws a game; Edwards at 31 and Reid at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Gobert (3 straight), Towns (7 straight). 2 days' rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 108, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Garland at 20 and Allen at 18 a game. Without Mitchell (2 straight), Strus (9 straight), Eva. Mobley (8 straight). One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Cleveland has been minus-2 a night and Minnesota minus-7 and the turnovers, Cleveland giving it away 12 times a game to Minnesota's 9. Call it Minnesota 112, Cleveland 108, Cleveland keeping it close.
3/24 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 102, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 16 free throws a game; Edwards at 29 and Conley at 17 a game. Without Towns (8 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 118, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 15 free throws a game; Curry at 24 and Kuminga at 21 a game. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 102 a night to Golden State's 118 and the glass, where Golden State has been plus-4 a night and Minnesota minus-2. Call it Minnesota 117, Golden State 109.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
UTABS B. Sensabaugh
CS C. Sexton
JJ J. Juzang
JP J. Preston
KD K. Dunn
KG K. George
MP M. Potter
OY O. Yurtseven
TH T. Hendricks
WK W. Kessler
MINAE A. Edwards
AM A. Miller
JM J. McDaniels
JM J. McLaughlin
JM J. Minott
KA K. Anderson
LG L. Garza
MC M. Conley
MM M. Morris
NA N. Alexander-Walker
NR N. Reid
TW T. Warren
UTA/MIN the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Edwards scores 31 and Conley tallies 25 in his return to Utah to help Timberwolves top Jazz
SALT LAKE CITY -- — Anthony Edwards scored 31 points despite a twisted ankle, Mike Conley added a season-high 25 points in his return to Utah and the Minnesota Timberwolves topped the struggling Jazz 119-100 on Saturday night.
“Somebody’s got to step up every night. It may always look like me, but tonight it was also Mike,” said Edwards, who passed Kevin Love for the most 30-point games in a single season with 26.
Edwards stepped on Taylor Hendricks’ foot while driving and turned his right ankle just before halftime. He got up limping and went straight to the locker room.
“Just had to keep it warm,” he said.
Edwards jumped rope during the break and started the second half, but seemed a bit slower and less explosive.
“Just let the game come to you,” Edwards said. “I was forcing it a little bit but in the second half I found Mike Conley, found Naz (Reid) and Nickeil (Alexander-Walker). Then it made it easy for me to score.”
Edwards made four 3-pointers, a layup and a circus three-point play in the final two quarters to help Minnesota hold off Utah.
“Ant’s been special, honestly. He really has. Just seeing him develop as the season has gone on, it’s been amazing. Like tonight, he made a bunch of plays that he wouldn’t make the first part of the year,” Conley said.
The game marked the first time Conley played in Utah since being traded in February 2023 after four seasons with the Jazz. Saturday's game was his highest scoring output with Minnesota.
“It’s a perfect storm, trying to fill in for guys and it’s given me a good rhythm. I’ve been aggressive looking for my shots more, getting to the paint more and getting to the free throw line,” said Conley, who made five 3s.
Collin Sexton scored 22 points and Keyonte George added 18 for the Jazz, who have lost four of five. They host Minnesota again on Monday.
“Plain and simple tonight, we did not pass the ball. There’s 30 possessions where you can point out where there’s multiple people open and we’re just forcing it. We’ve got to get back to the understanding of who we’re playing, understanding how they want to guard,” Utah coach Will Hardy said.
George had scored at least 25 points in three straight games but the Timberwolves made a concerted effort to show him extra bodies on drives and force him to give up the ball.
“The intention is great — trying to be aggressive. I think the next step now is to find that balance,” George said.
Naz Reid had 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Wolves.
The Jazz were without Jordan Clarkson (groin), Lauri Markkanen (thigh), and John Collins (rest), so the Jazz turned to their younger players and they kept it close until the fourth quarter.
Edwards often has to carry the load for Minnesota, especially without Karl-Anthony Towns who had knee surgery on Tuesday. This time, Conley took some of the pressure off the ailing All-Star by scoring eight points in a 13-0 third-quarter run that gave Minnesota a 68-57 lead.
Omer Yurtseven , who had 14 points, got the Jazz within 93-85 midway through the fourth quarter. But Edwards responded with a 3-pointer and the Jazz had trouble scoring the rest of the way.
“Ant is aggressive and we have a ton of spacing out there particularly without Rudy (Gobert) being on the floor. So it opens up all kinds of things … but what’s been pleasing these last two games is his efficiency,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said.
Edwards made 5 of 7 from 3-point range and 12 of 20 overall.
Former Jazz center Gobert missed the game with sore ribs. Minnesota improved to 2-2 without Gobert in the lineup.