The Utah Jazz finished the NBA season with the leagues best record. Despite being the first seed, the team still has doubters when it comes to contending for the championship. One reason for this is because of recent early playoff exits from the Jazz. Following their game one loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at home, those Jazz doubts came circling again. However, the Jazz now lead the series 3-1, and one difference has been the play of Royce O’Neale.
O’Neale averaged 7.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, and 2.8 assists per game this season. But Royce O’Neale’s impact stretches far beyond individual stats. The 3-and-D forward does all of the little things for the Jazz, which earned him a four-year, $36 million extension with Utah. O’Neale is also frequently tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best player.
The Jazz struggled in game one, losing 112-109 at home while giving up 57 combined points to Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks. O’Neale finished that game with three points, going 1-6 in 37 minutes. However, each game since Royce O’Neale has left his imprint on their three straight series wins.
In game two, the Jazz finished with a new franchise record for three-pointers in a playoff game with nineteen. Royce finished that game with four of those threes in his 14 point, 8 rebound, and 3 assist outing. His play helped Utah overcome an electrifying 47-point performance from Ja Morant.
Guarding Ja Morant
After Ja Morant climbed to second place on the all-time scoring record in their first two playoff games with 73 points, two behind George Mikan, O’Neale became his primary matchup in games three and four.
Royce O’Neale has shown his elite defensive abilities since drawing the Ja Morant assignment. In game three, while having 28 points, Morant struggled for the first time this series, with O’Neale guarding him shooting 10-23 from the field. O’Neale also added 12 points on four three pointers with 7 rebounds in Utah’s 121-111 game three win.
Game four was another back and forth battle in the Jazz vs. Grizzlies series, with the Jazz ultimately pulling away with a 120-113 victory. Royce O’Neale hit three more big threes down the stretch of this game. But again, O’Neale’s impact was seen on the defensive end, holding Ja to 23 points on 38% shooting.
Royce O’Neale isn’t the only player coming up big for the Jazz in their three victories. Mike Conley Jr. has done exactly what Utah traded for him to do. The point guard is averaging 20 points, 10 assists, and nearly 5 rebounds per game while making huge shots this series.
Utah has come to expect strong offensive outings from Donovan Mitchell, Jordan Clarkson, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Rudy Gobert. But Royce O’Neale isn’t one of the players the Jazz depend on offensively. Which is why his increased scoring in their three playoff wins has been so important for Utah. The forward has hit key threes in close games while also slowing down Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks.
The Jazz continue to benefit from the defensive role of Royce O’Neale, but as he continues to make clutch playoff threes, it can be an x-factor in Utah’s playoff run. Utah and Memphis meet for game five Wednesday night in Utah, with the Grizzlies on the brink of elimination. Whether they close it out tomorrow and move to the next round, one theme remains Royce O’Neale’s play really impacts Utah’s play.
