Agbaji scores 27, Jazz hold off Kings for 128-120 victory
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Ochai Agbaji scored a career-high 27 points, including six 3-pointers, to lead the Utah Jazz to a 128-120 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night.
Kelly Olynyk had 19 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Jazz. Kris Dunn added 18 points and a season-high 10 assists. Udoka Azubuike chipped in with a career-high 13 points and a season-best eight rebounds.
Eight players scored in double figures for the Jazz, who shot 52% from the field.
Agbaji’s offensive outburst underscored the progress he’s made from earlier in his rookie season when he had stints in the G League.
“I kind of saw that as my own race, starting there,” Agbaji said. “My expectations were a little bit different coming in, but starting there, I had to be fine with it, had to go with it, had to give it my all and have a positive attitude while I was doing it.”
De’Aaron Fox had 37 points and seven assists to lead Sacramento. Keegan Murray added 22 points for the Kings. Fox and Murray combined to make 12 3-pointers.
Harrison Barnes scored 16 for Sacramento, and Malik Monk added 15.
Olynyk put the Jazz ahead for good on a 3-pointer with 1:34 left to break a 118-all tie. Dunn, Agbaji, Walker Kessler and Olynyk combined to make seven free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.
Sacramento trailed by double digits throughout the first half before erasing the deficit during the third quarter. Fox and Murray led the charge, combining for 33 points in the period.
Fox scored five baskets to fuel a 19-5 run that cut Utah’s lead to 76-74 midway through the quarter. The Kings tied it three times on 3-pointers from Monk, Murray and Fox but did not go in front until early in the fourth quarter.
Chimezie Metu completed a 3-point play to give Sacramento its first lead at 100-98 with 9:15 remaining.
“You can’t trick a trick defense,” Kings coach Mike Brown said. “You've just got to just run your stuff. If you run your stuff, somebody’s going to get an open shot.”
Playing without the team’s top three scorers - Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton - did not slow down Utah’s offense in the first quarter.
The Jazz shot 60% from the field and made five 3-pointers to build a 40-19 lead by the end of the period. Utah showed offensive balance while coasting to a double-digit advantage. Five players scored two or more baskets in the quarter. Olynyk and Agbaji led the way with three apiece.
“We lost this game in the first quarter,” Fox said. “We shot ourselves in the foot. Obviously we fought back, but you don’t want to be in that type of position.”
Utah did not cool down much through the second quarter. The Jazz extended their lead to 24 before halftime, going up 59-35 when Olynyk capped a 7-0 run with a corner 3.
“We were able to use our pace. It’s been a huge emphasis for us since the trade deadline to try to play faster,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “We fed off our defense. We did a good job of getting stops and it allowed us to get out and run.”
BLOCK PARTY
Kessler blocked five shots for the 10th time this season. None were more clutch than his final swat on a layup attempt by Domantas Sabonis with 1:20 remaining that would have cut the deficit to one. Kessler secured the rebound, and the Kings never got a chance to draw closer.
“A lot of teams want to attack inside in the last moments just because you’re trying to foul,” Kessler said. “I happened to be there. I liked my chances to block the shot.”
TIP-INS
Kings: Sabonis led the Kings in rebounds (12) and assists (nine) and finished with 11 points. … Sacramento scored zero fast-break points in the first half.
Jazz: Simone Fontecchio made his second career start in place of Markkanen, who sat out with back soreness. Fontecchio finished with 12 points. … Utah allowed a season-high 43 points in the third quarter.
UP NEXT
Kings: Host Boston on Tuesday night.
Jazz: Host Portland on Wednesday night.
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Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
12:00 | Domantas Sabonis vs. Walker Kessler (Kelly Olynyk gains possession) | |||
11:53 | +2 | Walker Kessler makes two point cutting dunk (Kelly Olynyk assists) | 0-2 | |
11:26 | Domantas Sabonis misses two point hook shot | |||
11:23 | Ochai Agbaji defensive rebound | |||
11:12 | Kelly Olynyk misses three point jump shot | |||
11:06 | Domantas Sabonis defensive rebound | |||
11:03 | De'Aaron Fox misses three point jump shot | |||
11:03 | Kessler Edwards offensive rebound | |||
11:02 | Kelly Olynyk shooting foul (Kessler Edwards draws the foul) | |||
11:02 | +1 | Kessler Edwards makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 1-2 | |
11:02 | +1 | Kessler Edwards makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 2-2 | |
10:44 | Talen Horton-Tucker misses two point stepback jump shot | |||
10:38 | Keegan Murray defensive rebound | |||
10:33 | Walker Kessler blocks Domantas Sabonis's two point layup | |||
10:28 | Talen Horton-Tucker defensive rebound | |||
10:27 | +3 | Ochai Agbaji makes three point jump shot (Talen Horton-Tucker assists) | 2-5 | |
10:16 | +2 | Kessler Edwards makes two point cutting dunk (Harrison Barnes assists) | 4-5 | |
10:03 | +3 | Simone Fontecchio makes three point jump shot (Kelly Olynyk assists) | 4-8 | |
9:53 | +2 | Harrison Barnes makes two point driving floating jump shot | 6-8 | |
9:39 | +2 | Kelly Olynyk makes two point hook shot | 6-10 | |
9:21 | Keegan Murray misses three point jump shot | |||
9:18 | Harrison Barnes offensive rebound | |||
9:17 | Harrison Barnes misses two point layup | |||
9:15 | Walker Kessler defensive rebound | |||
9:14 | Kessler Edwards shooting foul (Talen Horton-Tucker draws the foul) | |||
9:14 | +1 | Talen Horton-Tucker makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 6-11 | |
9:14 | +1 | Talen Horton-Tucker makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 6-12 | |
9:05 | Keegan Murray misses three point jump shot | |||
9:02 | Ochai Agbaji defensive rebound | |||
8:57 | +3 | Simone Fontecchio makes three point jump shot (Ochai Agbaji assists) | 6-15 | |
8:43 | +2 | Harrison Barnes makes two point driving floating bank jump shot (De'Aaron Fox assists) | 8-15 | |
8:43 | Ochai Agbaji shooting foul (Harrison Barnes draws the foul) | |||
8:43 | Harrison Barnes misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | |||
8:41 | Kelly Olynyk defensive rebound | |||
8:31 | Kelly Olynyk turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | |||
8:18 | +2 | Domantas Sabonis makes two point layup (Kessler Edwards assists) | 10-15 | |
8:06 | +2 | Talen Horton-Tucker makes two point driving layup | 10-17 | |
7:58 | +3 | Keegan Murray makes three point jump shot (De'Aaron Fox assists) | 13-17 | |
7:48 | +2 | Ochai Agbaji makes two point cutting dunk (Kelly Olynyk assists) | 13-19 | |
7:47 | Kings 60 second timeout | |||
7:32 | +2 | De'Aaron Fox makes two point turnaround jump shot | 15-19 | |
7:13 | +2 | Kelly Olynyk makes two point driving hook shot | 15-21 | |
7:13 | Harrison Barnes shooting foul (Kelly Olynyk draws the foul) | |||
7:13 | +1 | Kelly Olynyk makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 15-22 | |
6:56 | Domantas Sabonis misses two point hook shot | |||
6:53 | Walker Kessler defensive rebound | |||
6:50 | Kessler Edwards shooting foul (Talen Horton-Tucker draws the foul) | |||
6:50 | +1 | Talen Horton-Tucker makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 15-23 | |
6:50 | +1 | Talen Horton-Tucker makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 15-24 | |
6:30 | Keegan Murray misses three point jump shot | |||
6:29 | Jazz defensive rebound | |||
6:07 | Kelly Olynyk misses two point layup | |||
6:05 | Domantas Sabonis defensive rebound | |||
6:00 | Walker Kessler blocks Domantas Sabonis's two point dunk | |||
5:57 | Kelly Olynyk defensive rebound | |||
5:51 | +3 | Kelly Olynyk makes three point jump shot (Simone Fontecchio assists) | 15-27 | |
5:40 | Terence Davis misses three point jump shot | |||
5:38 | Ochai Agbaji defensive rebound | |||
5:34 | Simone Fontecchio misses three point jump shot | |||
5:31 | Domantas Sabonis defensive rebound | |||
5:28 | Talen Horton-Tucker shooting foul (Terence Davis draws the foul) | |||
5:28 | +1 | Terence Davis makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 16-27 | |
5:28 | Terence Davis misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | |||
5:27 | Kelly Olynyk defensive rebound | |||
5:05 | +2 | Johnny Juzang makes two point driving floating jump shot (Ochai Agbaji assists) | 16-29 | |
4:54 | Harrison Barnes misses two point driving hook shot | |||
4:51 | Kris Dunn defensive rebound | |||
4:39 | Kelly Olynyk misses two point floating jump shot | |||
4:37 | Domantas Sabonis defensive rebound | |||
4:32 | Terence Davis misses three point jump shot | |||
4:31 | Kelly Olynyk defensive rebound | |||
4:26 | Kelly Olynyk misses three point pullup jump shot | |||
4:23 | Davion Mitchell defensive rebound | |||
4:19 | Terence Davis offensive foul (Charge) (Kelly Olynyk draws the foul) | |||
4:19 | Terence Davis turnover (offensive foul) | |||
4:09 | +3 | Ochai Agbaji makes three point jump shot (Rudy Gay assists) | 16-32 | |
3:55 | Kris Dunn blocks Terence Davis's two point floating jump shot | |||
3:55 | Jazz defensive rebound | |||
3:52 | Jump ball. Kris Dunn vs. Terence Davis (Ochai Agbaji gains possession) | |||
3:43 | Rudy Gay misses three point jump shot | |||
3:39 | Davion Mitchell defensive rebound | |||
3:35 | Terence Davis misses two point alley-oop layup | |||
3:33 | Johnny Juzang defensive rebound | |||
3:25 | +2 | Rudy Gay makes two point fadeaway jump shot | 16-34 | |
3:10 | Malik Monk misses three point jump shot | |||
3:09 | Udoka Azubuike defensive rebound | |||
3:01 | Kris Dunn misses two point driving floating jump shot | |||
2:57 | Trey Lyles defensive rebound | |||
2:47 | Trey Lyles misses three point jump shot | |||
2:45 | Udoka Azubuike defensive rebound | |||
2:32 | +2 | Rudy Gay makes two point pullup jump shot (Udoka Azubuike assists) | 16-36 | |
2:15 | Ochai Agbaji blocks Trey Lyles's two point dunk | |||
2:11 | Udoka Azubuike defensive rebound | |||
2:07 | Rudy Gay misses three point jump shot | |||
2:03 | Davion Mitchell defensive rebound | |||
1:59 | Malik Monk misses three point jump shot | |||
1:57 | Udoka Azubuike defensive rebound | |||
1:43 | +2 | Udoka Azubuike makes two point hook shot (Kris Dunn assists) | 16-38 | |
1:43 | Kings 60 second timeout | |||
1:30 | De'Aaron Fox misses two point driving floating jump shot | |||
1:28 | Johnny Juzang defensive rebound | |||
1:22 | Talen Horton-Tucker offensive foul (Charge) (Trey Lyles draws the foul) | |||
1:22 | Talen Horton-Tucker turnover (offensive foul) | |||
1:07 | +3 | Keon Ellis makes three point jump shot (De'Aaron Fox assists) | 19-38 | |
0:44 | Rudy Gay misses two point stepback jump shot | |||
0:42 | De'Aaron Fox defensive rebound | |||
0:29 | Matthew Dellavedova misses three point jump shot | |||
0:26 | Talen Horton-Tucker defensive rebound | |||
0:08 | +2 | Talen Horton-Tucker makes two point driving dunk | 19-40 | |
0:00 | De'Aaron Fox misses two point turnaround fadeaway jump shot | |||
0:00 | Kings offensive rebound | |||
0:00 | End of period |
Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
11:41 | De'Aaron Fox misses three point jump shot | |||
11:39 | Rudy Gay defensive rebound | |||
11:29 | +2 | Udoka Azubuike makes two point dunk (Talen Horton-Tucker assists) | 19-42 | |
11:08 | Keon Ellis misses three point jump shot | |||
11:05 | Rudy Gay defensive rebound | |||
10:44 | Rudy Gay misses three point pullup jump shot | |||
10:43 | Jazz offensive rebound | |||
10:43 | Chimezie Metu personal foul (Loose ball) (Udoka Azubuike draws the foul) | |||
10:36 | Talen Horton-Tucker misses three point jump shot | |||
10:33 | Malik Monk defensive rebound | |||
10:28 | Malik Monk turnover (out of bounds lost ball) | |||
10:16 | Talen Horton-Tucker turnover (bad pass) (Keon Ellis steals) | |||
10:16 | Talen Horton-Tucker personal foul (Malik Monk draws the foul) | |||
9:56 | Trey Lyles turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | |||
9:45 | +2 | Udoka Azubuike makes two point cutting dunk (Rudy Gay assists) | 19-44 | |
9:39 | Kris Dunn personal foul (De'Aaron Fox draws the foul) | |||
9:36 | Trey Lyles misses three point jump shot | |||
9:33 | Rudy Gay defensive rebound | |||
9:26 | Juan Toscano-Anderson turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | |||
9:07 | +3 | De'Aaron Fox makes three point jump shot (Trey Lyles assists) | 22-44 | |
8:47 | Kris Dunn misses two point floating jump shot | |||
8:45 | Domantas Sabonis defensive rebound | |||
8:39 | +3 | De'Aaron Fox makes three point stepback jump shot (Domantas Sabonis assists) | 25-44 | |
8:38 | Jazz 60 second timeout | |||
8:26 | +3 | Simone Fontecchio makes three point jump shot (Kris Dunn assists) | 25-47 | |
8:03 | +2 | De'Aaron Fox makes two point driving floating jump shot (Trey Lyles assists) | 27-47 | |
7:55 | Simone Fontecchio misses three point jump shot | |||
7:52 | Malik Monk defensive rebound | |||
7:45 | +3 | De'Aaron Fox makes three point jump shot (Malik Monk assists) | 30-47 | |
7:22 | +3 | Kris Dunn makes three point jump shot (Kelly Olynyk assists) | 30-50 | |
7:05 | +2 | Kessler Edwards makes two point reverse layup (De'Aaron Fox assists) | 32-50 | |
6:42 | Malik Monk personal foul (Kelly Olynyk draws the foul) | |||
6:37 | +2 | Kris Dunn makes two point driving dunk (Walker Kessler assists) | 32-52 | |
6:26 | +3 | Malik Monk makes three point jump shot (Kessler Edwards assists) | 35-52 | |
6:24 | Jazz 60 second timeout | |||
6:07 | De'Aaron Fox kicked ball violation | |||
5:58 | Juan Toscano-Anderson misses two point reverse dunk | |||
5:56 | Walker Kessler offensive rebound | |||
5:54 | Walker Kessler misses two point hook shot | |||
5:54 | Trey Lyles defensive rebound | |||
5:43 | Walker Kessler blocks Trey Lyles's two point driving layup | |||
5:39 | Walker Kessler defensive rebound | |||
5:29 | +2 | Walker Kessler makes two point reverse layup (Kris Dunn assists) | 35-54 | |
5:18 |