Juzang recorded 12 points (4-5 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), a rebound, an assist, two steals and a block across 12 minutes off the bench in Monday's 122-113 preseason win over the Rockets.
Juzang was one of the Jazz's best players for a second consecutive preseason game, and he seems to be gaining steam toward earning a spot on the regular-season roster despite playing on a two-way deal. Juzang has shot 11-for-14 from the field in two preseason games, and his performance over the subsequent contests could strengthen his grip on a rotation role with the regular season approaching quickly.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Struggles vs. Houston
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Markkanen finished with 17 points (3-11 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 11-13 FT), four rebounds and an assist across 24 minutes in Monday's 122-113 preseason win over the Rockets.
On the surface, Markkanen's stat line looked good, as he led the Jazz in scoring in this preseason win. However, he would've had a woeful performance hadn't it been for his 13 trips to the charity stripe. One positive aspect is that Markkanen is finding ways to get the job done even when his shot isn't falling, and it's not like the preseason numbers will have any impact on his role as the Jazz's primary offensive threat ahead of the regular-season opener vs. Memphis on Oct. 23.
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Jazz's Keyonte George: Scores 13 points Monday
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George posted 13 points (3-7 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 5-5 FT), three rebounds, four assists and a steal across 25 minutes in Monday's 122-113 preseason win over the Rockets.
George has scored a combined 25 points while going 7-for-13 from the field in two preseason games, and it seems he's getting into a good rhythm with the start of the 2024-25 campaign just around the corner. George is expected to be a central figure for Utah both in the short-term and long-term scenario, meaning he should be a strong fantasy option across all formats in his role of being the point guard of a rebuilding team with only one proven offensive threat ahead of him in the pecking order.
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Jazz's Patty Mills: Doesn't see floor Monday
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Mills didn't play in Monday's 122-113 preseason win over the Rockets.
Mills missed Friday's preseason opener against the NBL Breakers due to rest, and it is likely that the vet was given another rest day against Houston. The 36-year-old is expected to come off the bench this season while mentoring the club's young talent in the backcourt, consisting of Keyonte George, Isaiah Collier, Johnny Juzang and Jason Preston. Mills' next chance to play will come Thursday against the Mavericks.
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Jazz's John Collins: Expected off bench Monday
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Collins is not in the starting five for Monday's preseason matchup against the Rockets, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
For the second consecutive preseason game, Walker Kessler will get the start over Collins. The 27-year-old Collins is coming off a back injury that sidelined him to end the 2023-24 campaign, but he is expected to reprise his starting role during the regular season.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Starting vs. Houston
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Kessler is in the starting lineup for Monday's preseason game against the Rockets, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Kessler drew the start in Utah's preseason opener against the New Zealand Breakers on Friday, and the 23-year-old will do so again Monday. He'll join Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen and Taylor Hendricks in the Jazz's starting five, with John Collins presumably coming off the bench.
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Jazz's Johnny Juzang: Leads Utah in preseason opener
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Juzang notched 19 points (7-9 FG, 5-6 3Pt), a rebound and two assists across 19 minutes off the bench in Friday's 116-87 preseason win over the Breakers.
The bench players received significant run in the preseason opener, and Juzang made the most of his opportunity, leading Utah in scoring and showing he might belong at the NBA level despite playing on a two-way deal. A couple more strong showings in preseason could allow Juzang to compete for a regular-season roster spot.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Solid in preseason opener
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Markkanen registered 13 points (5-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and three rebounds across 16 minutes in Friday's 116-87 preseason win over the Breakers.
Markkanen was the only member of the starting unit who didn't reach the 15-minute plateau, but he didn't need to play much to leave his mark on the game as one of six Utah players who scored in double digits. Markkanen signed a five-year, $238 million contract extension with the Jazz in early August and will operate as the team's go-to player on offense as long as he stays healthy. He averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.2 three-pointers and 2.0 assists in 33.1 minutes per game over 55 regular-season appearances in 2023-24.
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Jazz's Keyonte George: Efficient in preseason win
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George notched 12 points (4-6 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-4 FT) and five assists across 23 minutes in Friday's 116-87 preseason win over the Breakers.
George was one of three starters who surpassed the 20-minute mark in the preseason opener and looked sharp, missing just two shots from the field and getting his teammates involved early and often. George will open his second season in The Association as the Jazz's starting point guard and as one of the team's go-to players on offense alongside Lauri Markkanen.
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Jazz's Patty Mills: Won't suit up Friday
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Mills (rest) will not play against the NBL Breakers in Friday's preseason opener, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.
Mills will not suit up Friday, though it is expected that it's nothing more than a rest day for the veteran. The 36-year-old's next chance to suit up during the preseason will come Monday versus the Rockets.
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Jazz's Cody Williams: Ready for training camp
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Williams (illness) will be a full participant in training camp, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Williams missed Utah's Summer League finale with an illness, but his status for camp wasn't in doubt. The No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Williams should be able to compete for a rotation spot right away with the Jazz undergoing a rebuild.
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Jazz's Collin Sexton: Good to go
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Sexton (illness) will be a full participant during training camp this week, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Sexton had four consecutive absences due to an illness to end his 2023-24 campaign. He made a total of 78 appearances in the regular season, averaging 18.7 points, 4.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 three-pointers and 0.8 steals in 26.6 minutes. It's likely that he plays a similar role in 2024-25, though the Jazz did add Isaiah Collier with the 29th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
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Jazz's Brice Sensabaugh: Cleared to play
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Sensabaugh (finger) has been cleared to participate in training camp this week, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Sensabaugh tore an extensor tendon in his left middle finger during Summer League and was given a six-week timetable, so he likely had plenty of time to work on his game during the offseason. He made 32 regular-season appearances as a rookie, posting averages of 7.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 18.3 minutes.
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Jazz's Jason Preston: Healthy for camp
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Preston (personal) will be a full participant in training camp, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Preston missed back-to-back games to end Summer League action due to personal reasons, but he's ready to roll for camp. The Jazz signed Preston to a two-way contract over the offseason, and it's likely that he spends most of his time in Salt Lake to open the 2024-25 season.
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Jazz's John Collins: Cleared for camp
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Collins (back) will be a full participant during training camp, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
The Jazz shut Collins down on March 29 with a back injury, though they were likely being cautious with nothing to play for. The veteran compiled averages of 15.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 28.0 minutes per game across 68 appearances, but he'll face stiffer competition this season from Taylor Hendricks in the frontcourt.
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Jazz's Taylor Hendricks: Good to go
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Hendricks (personal) will be a full participant in training camp, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Hendricks missed Utah's final Summer League game to tend to a personal matter, so his status for camp wasn't in any real doubt. Coach Will Hardy spoke highly of Hendricks during Media Day, and noted that the forward put on 21 pounds during the offseason.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Cleared to play
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Markkanen (shoulder) will be a full participant in training camp this week, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Markkanen missed Utah's final nine games of the 2023-24 season, and he wasn't able to play for the Finnish national team during the 2024 FIBA Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July. He has a clean bill of health now, however, and he will be returning as the focal point of Utah's offense after securing a five-year, $238 million contract extension with the Jazz.
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Jazz's Isaiah Collier: Good to go for camp
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Collier (knee) will be a full go for training camp, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Collier missed Utah's final exhibition game in Las Vegas due to pain in his right knee, but the issue wasn't considered serious. The 29th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Collier could win the backup point guard role behind Keyonte George with a strong showing during the preseason.
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Jazz's Jordan Clarkson: Healthy for camp
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Clarkson (back) will be a full go for training camp this week, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Clarkson battled some joint inflammation in his back to cut his 2023-24 season short. The veteran ended up making 55 appearances in the regular season, averaging 17.1 points, 5.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 41.3 percent from the field. The Jazz had a quiet offseason, so it's likely that Clarkson will play a similar role in 2024-25.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Will play with starters in camp
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Coach Will Hardy said Tuesday he anticipates Kessler playing a lot with the starters during the preseason, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.
After starting 40 games in 2022-23, Kessler made only 22 starts last year. Hardy was far from committal about Kessler being a starter to begin the 2024-25 campaign, but it does sound like the youngster will at least get a chance to compete for the top spot. The Jazz have a deep frontcourt with a solid mix of prospects and veteran players, and it's unclear how the playing time will be sorted out. For now, Lauri Markkanen and John Collins are the only guys guaranteed starter minutes.
