3 takeaways from the Utah Jazz’s 106-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets
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Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., right, is defended by Utah Jazz guard Emmanuel Mudiay during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. David Zalubowski, AP
Trent Wood is a sports writer for the Deseret News.
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Despite a furious fourth quarter rally, after what can only be called a collapse, the Utah Jazz lost their third consecutive game Thursday night in Denver. The Jazz fell to the Nuggets 106-100 and fell to 32-16 overall this season.
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Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson wears a pair of basketball shoes with a tribute to Kobe Bryant before the team's NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, collects a loose ball as Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles, front, drives past Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton, back right, as he gets caught in a pick set by Utah center Rudy Gobert during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, right, goes up for a basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder looks to the bench for a substitute as guard Jordan Clarkson exits the floor in the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah Jazz guard Emmanuel Mudiay, front, vies for control of a loose ball against Denver Nuggets forward Jarred Vanderbilt during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone argues for a call against the Utah Jazz during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, left, reaches for the ball next to Denver Nuggets forward Torrey Craig during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson reacts after hitting a 3-point basket against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah Jazz guard Emmanuel Mudiay, front, and Denver Nuggets guard Malik Beasley dive for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder directs his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, reaches for a rebound as Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., right, is defended by Utah Jazz guard Emmanuel Mudiay during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., front, drives against Utah Jazz forward Georges Niang duringthe first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell asks for his jacket before the team's NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
Here are three takeaways from the Jazz’s loss to the Nuggets.
The Jazz led by as many as 11 points and held a five point lead at the end of the first half, but all of that was easily forgotten as Utah suffered a complete and utter collapse through the third quarter and much of the fourth. Denver exploded for 33 points in the third quarter, as opposed to 22 points for Utah, en route to taking a commanding 17-point lead midway through the final period. The cushion proved just enough for the Nuggets to hold off the Jazz, despite a furious rally attempt by Utah.
Jazz reserve guard Jordan Clarkson had no interest in losing the game and he played like it. Clarkson scored a season-high 37 points, by far the most he’s score with the Jazz, 24 of which came in the final period. Clarkson shot 12 of 20 from the field and canned 7 of 12 3-point attempts.
As good as Clarkson was, Donovan Mitchell was the exact opposite. Mere hours after being named an All-Star for the first time in his career, Mitchell had one of, if not the worst games of his Jazz career. Mitchell scored just four points and and made only 1 of 11 field goal attempts.
