This offseason, the number one priority for the Utah Jazz was re-signing Jordan Clarkson. Since Utah traded for him, Clarkson has been an offensive spark plug for the Jazz. Utah rewarded their guard by resigning him to a 4-year $51,520,000 contract. The move paid off with Clarkson winning the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award and Utah being the number one team in the NBA.
Most importantly, however, Jordan Clarkson has been huge offensively for the Jazz this postseason. In their first series against the Grizzlies, Clarkson played an important role averaging 18.6 points per game. That impact off of the bench made the guard the second-leading scorer against the Grizzlies.
Clarkson’s hot hand has continued into Utah’s second round matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Jazz have been without their All-Star point guard Mike Conley Jr. who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Conley’s injury has pushed fellow NBA Sixth Man of the Year candidate Joe Ingles into the starting lineup with Clarkson maintaining his bench role. Mike Conley was outstanding in the Grizzlies series averaging 17.4 ppg, 8.6 apg, and nearly 4 rpg, as well as a +10.2 +/- rating.
Filling the void left by Conley has been extra important for the Jazz. With Ingles moving to the starting lineup, besides Jordan Clarkson, the Jazz bench is averaging 2.5 points per game. However, Clarkson continues to prove to be the difference-maker for the Utah Jazz. In game one, Clarkson’s offensive came alive, and he was a major part of their second-half comeback. He hit a number of key three pointers, including one to put the Jazz up six with nine minutes left and a big steal with Utah up five. He finished the game with 18 points and a 112-109 game one win for his team.
Game Two
In game two, Jordan Clarkson was the only Utah Jazz player to score off of the bench. The guard scored 24 big points for Utah. The Clippers mounted a comeback in the second half after trailing 66-53 at halftime, and Clarkson, as he often does, hit shots to slow the opposing team’s run. As the third quarter neared a close, the Jazz lead had been cut down to 85-81 when Clarkson hit a highly-contested three over Luke Kennard that he banked in. The very next time down the floor, the NBA’s sixth man nailed another huge three. Putting the Jazz up 91-81 and effectively slowing the Clippers momentum.
Jordan Clarkson finished game two with 24 points on 60% shooting while shooting 6-9 from deep. Clarkson isn’t alone in the strong play. Donovan Mitchell has been playing out of his mind this series, averaging 41 ppg, 4.5 apg, and 3.0 rpg through two games. However, Clarkson fills the important role of a second go-to scorer for Utah, especially in Conley’s absence. The Clippers have often been doubling Mitchell down the stretch of games, but the presence of Clarkson helps counteract that.
Re-signing Clarkson was the top priority for Utah this offseason, and rightfully so. His play keeps the Jazz in games, and this postseason he has hit big shot after big shot late in games to help give Utah an edge. What has stopped the Jazz in previous playoff runs has been the lack of scoring when Donovan comes off the floor. Jordan Clarkson has been the solution. This is what makes Clarkson the difference-maker in Utah.
Jazz Playoff Impact
While Clarkson has been the difference-maker, the Jazz have also benefited from strong play from other players as well. Mike Conley, as mentioned earlier, played at another level in round one. Royce O’Neale has played a large role on defense and beyond the arc. Joe Ingles had 19 points in game two against the Clippers. And Bojan Bogdanovic, who Utah missed last season has contributed a quiet 17+ per game this postseason. As always, Rudy Gobert has been huge defensively, but also on the boards.
The Jazz and Clippers face off again in Los Angeles on Saturday for game three. The Clippers Reggie Jackson has already been quoted saying, “Game three is all that matters.” What will the outcome be? Will Conley be back? Can the Jazz go up 3-0? Tune in on ABC to see.
