Jazz Use 16-2 First Quarter Run To Take Lead Over Cavaliers – KSL Sports
SALT LAKE CITY – The Jazz ended the first quarter on an 18-4 run, turning seven point deficit into a 31-24 advantage over Donovan Mitchell’s Cavs.
The struggling Jazz (20-23) hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers (26-15) and former Utah star Donovan Mitchell at Vivint Arena on Tuesday, January 10.
it’s the spin after the bucket for us ☮️#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/n910wkhTPa
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2023
Lauri Markkanen scored six points but Rudy Gay led the Jazz with seven points off the bench.
🗣Rudy Gay, 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝘿𝙖𝙮 🗣#TakeNote | @RudyGay pic.twitter.com/oPoWP39VK6
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2023
Donovan Mitchell scorched the nets in his return to Utah, scoring 12 first quarter points.
Utah Jazz Playing Shorthanded
The Jazz will be without Kelly Olynyk when they take the floor on Tuesday night after the team’s starting center re-injured his left ankle on Sunday in Memphis.
RELATED: Injury-Riddled Jazz Host Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers
Olynyk originally sprained his ankle in mid-December which caused him to miss four games around the Christmas holiday.
The full injury report for the @utahjazz as they prepare to host Donovan Mitchell and the @cavs. pic.twitter.com/q8csI9q8Pl
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 10, 2023
The 31-year-old had been back in the lineup for the Jazz for the last seven games before turning his ankle in the final minutes of the team’s loss to the Grizzlies.
The Jazz will also be without Collin Sexton who will miss his fifth consecutive game and 12th overall due to a hamstring injury.
Talen Horton-Tucker will also miss the game due to an ankle injury. The first-year Jazzman was reinserted into the rotation in the team’s win over the Houston Rockets on January 5 but was sidelined again due to the injury after the team’s loss to the Chicago Bulls.
Donovan Mitchell Returns To Utah
Team owner Ryan Smith and CEO Danny Ainge both shared their appreciation for Mitchell when asked about the former Jazz great leading up to the game.
RELATED: Jazz Welcome Donovan Mitchell With Tribute Video
“I think everyone should celebrate,” Smith said of Mitchell’s return. “We forget quickly that this is a kid that came out pumped life into this franchise and gave everyone all these memories.”
KSL Sports Exclusive:
Ryan Smith and Danny Ainge sat down with @JJSportsBeat to discuss Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson’s contract, the upcoming All-Star game and more.
Check it out here. #TakeNote | @UtahJazz https://t.co/Qs7B7SLdJU
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 8, 2023
Unlike many stars across the league, Mitchell never publicly requested a trade away from Utah, even after the team moved All-Star teammate Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Mitchell led the Jazz to the playoffs in each of his first five seasons in the NBA, and Ainge said he hopes fans in Utah show their appreciation upon his return.
RELATED: Jazz Players, Fans Show Donovan Mitchell Love In Return To Utah
“It’s a great story, he’s continuing to get better, I remain a great, great fan of Donovan’s,” Ainge said. “I wish him nothing but the best and I hope that people receive him with great enthusiasm and energy and he deserves that.”
Utah Jazz vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Broadcast
The Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers game is televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.