With out Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves take intention at Jazz

Edwards was suspended for this sport after he noticed his technical foul whole for the season attain 16 on Thursday. The three-time All-Star was ejected from Minnesota’s 111-102 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday after his second technical with 5:21 remaining within the third quarter.

Edwards, 23, boasts team-best averages in factors and assists to go together with 6.0 rebounds in 58 video games this season.

The shorthanded Timberwolves will face off towards a Jazz staff that’s coming off a peculiar outing.

Jordan Clarkson referred to as it “wild,” and his coach referred to it as a kind of unusual moments in an NBA season.

“There are a pair video games often each season which can be simply sort of bizarre,” Jazz coach Will Hardy stated. “You’ll be able to’t fairly put your finger on it.”

They had been referring to Clarkson’s uncommon taking pictures efficiency throughout Wednesday evening’s 118-101 loss to visiting Sacramento Kings: He missed his first 13 pictures and completed with solely two factors.

“My teammates had been like, ‘Preserve taking pictures, hold taking pictures,’ ” Clarkson stated. “I used to be like, ‘Bruh.’ ”

Utah had a “bruh” outing when the 2 groups matched up in late January, with the Jazz going up by 15 factors early, solely to lose by 25 factors at house.

“It is a fantastic win for us, particularly on a back-to-back,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch stated after that assembly. “Our power was there, and we executed at a excessive degree. That third quarter was the distinction – our protection became offense.”

Minnesota doubled up Utah in that pivotal quarter, 44-22.

The weirdness of the evening was punctuated when the seemingly loudest cheer of the evening contained in the Delta Heart occurred when a seldom-used reserve participant from Minnesota subbed in for a short look. This wasn’t simply any T-Wolves end-of-the-bench participant for Jazz followers. It was Utah legend Joe Ingles, who was a beloved participant within the Beehive State for eight seasons earlier than being traded because the staff entered rebuild mode three years in the past.

Utah followers chanted for him to enter the sport – a request graciously fulfilled by Finch, whose staff additionally options former Jazz gamers Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

“That is fireplace. I imply, he is a legend,” Clarkson stated of Ingles. “All the fellows, they arrive again and really feel lots of love, particularly from the house crowd that we have got right here. We have the perfect followers, so I did not count on something much less. However Joe’s a legend, man, all the time and ceaselessly. He is engraved in Utah tradition and Utah basketball.”

Clarkson was extra like himself in that Jan. 30 sport, ending with 16 factors on 6-of-13 taking pictures. Two nights in the past, he hit simply 1 of 14 subject objectives whereas lacking all eight 3-point makes an attempt.

“You guys are going to ask about Jordan going 1-for-14,” Hardy stated. “I do not know – folks get struck by lightning, too. I’ve by no means seen that in my life. I do not suppose we’ll ever see it once more.”

One other wild ingredient within the loss to Sacramento: Jazz heart Walker Kessler drained all 10 pictures he tried although he did miss 2 of seven free throws en path to 25 factors, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, two steals and 0 turnovers in a sensational 34-minute efficiency.

Like their January sport, the Timberwolves needed to fly into Utah throughout a back-to-back set. Minnesota misplaced to the Lakers on the second leg of its four-game street journey Thursday evening.

Terrence Shannon Jr. led the staff with 25 factors, however Minnesota could not overcome falling behind 33-17 after the primary quarter or placing the Lakers on the free-throw line 46 instances.

Friday’s sport is one in all three remaining between the Jazz and Timberwolves.

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