Clarkson's late 3 gives Jazz 120-118 win over the Clippers
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)
Jordan Clarkson made a big shot to put Utah ahead and then came up with a key defensive stop to help the Jazz get a win.
Clarkson made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 28 seconds left and then forced Kawhi Leonard into a tough missed shot on the other end as the Jazz beat the Los Angeles Clippers 120-118 on Friday night.
“He hit me with a bunch of moves - shot fakes and spins. I was happy I stayed down and didn’t bite for the fakes,” said Clarkson, who has had a reputation as a shooter but seldom draws rave reviews for his defensive prowess.
Before that, Clarkson just wanted to get a shot for himself or Lauri Markkanen in a 2-for-1 possession situation.
“Lauri popped out but couldn’t get a look ... so I just took the shot with confidence and knocked it down,” said Clarkson, who had 13 points.
Markkanen had 35 points and 12 rebounds and Kelly Olynyk added 15 points, including consecutive 3-pointers to make it 111-109 for Utah as it went back-and-forth down the stretch.
“They were good shots and we needed them in that moment,” Olynyk said with a smile since the second 3 was drifting and off-balance.
Paul George scored 36 points and went 15 for 15 from the line while Leonard finished with 25 points in his first appearance on the court here against the Jazz since Game 2 of the 2021 Western Conference semifinals.
The Clippers trailed by 14 in the second quarter before coming back.
“We can’t allow ourselves to fall down like that and have to climb back into a game against a tough team,” George said.
Norman Powell scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Clippers’ comeback.
George gave the Clippers a 118-117 lead with two free throws with 41 seconds remaining before Clarkson dribbled his way into a tough 3 from the right angle in front of the Jazz bench.
Leonard missed a 3 with Clarkson draped on him and then Russell Westbrook missed a rebound try from 18 feet at the buzzer.
“It was a really, really gritty win for our team. We are far from where we want to be … but if we play that hard every night, we’re going to be tough,” Utah coach Will Hardy said.
The Clippers have lost 12 straight regular season games in Utah with their last win coming on Feb. 13, 2017.
“I thought their movement all night long kind of hurt us … and then we went small which helped our defense. But then offensive rebounds really hurt us with 33 second-chance points,” Los Angeles coach Ty Lue said of Utah’s 17 offensive rebounds.
The Clippers took their first lead of the game on Nicolas Batum’s 3, which capped a 17-4 surge and made it 104-101 with 5:49 to play.
George scored 15 points in the third quarter to help the Clippers pull to 89-83 entering the fourth.
“It was purely a mindset. Try to get to the paint, make a play at the rim,” George said.
The Jazz made their first five 3s of the second quarter to fuel a 15-4 run. Talen Horton-Tucker’s 3 gave Utah its biggest lead of the game at 50-36.
After making just nine 3s in season-opening blowout loss to Sacramento, the Jazz were 16 for 41 against the Clippers for their first win of the season.
“It feels great. Now the nightmares of 0-for-82 are over,” Markkanen said. “It was a really big win for us.”
UP NEXT
Clippers: Host San Antonio on Sunday.
Jazz: At Phoenix on Saturday.
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| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 |  | Ivica Zubac vs. Walker Kessler (Talen Horton-Tucker gains possession) | ||
| 11:38 | | +3 | Walker Kessler makes three point jump shot (Talen Horton-Tucker assists) | 0-3 |
| 11:21 |  | +2 | Ivica Zubac makes two point floating jump shot (Russell Westbrook assists) | 2-3 |
| 11:08 | | Talen Horton-Tucker turnover (bad pass) (Robert Covington steals) | ||
| 11:06 | | Talen Horton-Tucker kicked ball violation | ||
| 10:54 | | Ivica Zubac turnover (lost ball) (Talen Horton-Tucker steals) | ||
| 10:49 | | +2 | Lauri Markkanen makes two point alley-oop layup (Talen Horton-Tucker assists) | 2-5 |
| 10:35 | | Russell Westbrook turnover (bad pass) (Talen Horton-Tucker steals) | ||
| 10:24 | | Jordan Clarkson misses two point jump shot | ||
| 10:20 | | Walker Kessler offensive rebound | ||
| 10:20 | | +2 | Walker Kessler makes two point tip layup | 2-7 |
| 10:20 | | Clippers 60 second timeout | ||
| 10:05 | | Russell Westbrook misses three point jump shot | ||
| 10:02 | | Talen Horton-Tucker defensive rebound | ||
| 9:56 | | Talen Horton-Tucker misses two point running layup | ||
| 9:56 | | Jazz offensive rebound | ||
| 9:56 | | Robert Covington personal foul (Loose ball) (John Collins draws the foul) | ||
| 9:45 | | Talen Horton-Tucker misses three point jump shot | ||
| 9:40 | | Russell Westbrook defensive rebound | ||
| 9:33 | | John Collins shooting foul (Paul George draws the foul) | ||
| 9:33 | | +1 | Paul George makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 3-7 |
| 9:33 | | +1 | Paul George makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 4-7 |
| 9:13 | | John Collins misses three point jump shot | ||
| 9:11 | | Lauri Markkanen offensive rebound | ||
| 9:01 | | +3 | Jordan Clarkson makes three point jump shot (Talen Horton-Tucker assists) | 4-10 |
| 8:44 | | +2 | Kawhi Leonard makes two point driving layup | 6-10 |
| 8:37 | | +2 | John Collins makes two point driving layup (Talen Horton-Tucker assists) | 6-12 |
| 8:21 | | Ivica Zubac misses two point hook shot | ||
| 8:20 | | Walker Kessler defensive rebound | ||
| 8:08 | | Lauri Markkanen misses three point jump shot | ||
| 8:05 | | Russell Westbrook defensive rebound | ||
| 7:58 | | +3 | Robert Covington makes three point jump shot (Russell Westbrook assists) | 9-12 |
| 7:36 | | +2 | Lauri Markkanen makes two point floating jump shot (Talen Horton-Tucker assists) | 9-14 |
| 7:21 | | +3 | Kawhi Leonard makes three point jump shot | 12-14 |
| 7:12 | | Lauri Markkanen misses three point jump shot | ||
| 7:08 | | Russell Westbrook defensive rebound | ||
| 7:04 | | Paul George misses two point floating jump shot | ||
| 7:01 | | Talen Horton-Tucker defensive rebound | ||
| 6:58 | | +3 | Lauri Markkanen makes three point jump shot (Jordan Clarkson assists) | 12-17 |
| 6:44 | | Robert Covington misses three point jump shot | ||
| 6:42 | | Paul George offensive rebound | ||
| 6:42 | | +2 | Paul George makes two point putback layup | 14-17 |
| 6:26 | | Ivica Zubac blocks Talen Horton-Tucker's two point driving layup | ||
| 6:26 | | Jazz offensive rebound | ||
| 6:15 | | +3 | Jordan Clarkson makes three point jump shot (Ochai Agbaji assists) | 14-20 |
| 5:59 | | Paul George misses three point stepback jump shot | ||
| 5:57 | | Ochai Agbaji defensive rebound | ||
| 5:51 | | Jordan Clarkson turnover (lost ball) (Robert Covington steals) | ||
| 5:48 | | Collin Sexton shooting foul (Robert Covington draws the foul) | ||
| 5:48 | | +1 | Robert Covington makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 15-20 |
| 5:48 | | Robert Covington misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 5:47 | | John Collins defensive rebound | ||
| 5:36 | | +2 | Ochai Agbaji makes two point running dunk (Kelly Olynyk assists) | 15-22 |
| 5:15 | | +3 | Bones Hyland makes three point jump shot (Kawhi Leonard assists) | 18-22 |
| 5:02 | | John Collins misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 4:59 | | Kawhi Leonard defensive rebound | ||
| 4:44 | | Kawhi Leonard misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 4:42 | | Jordan Clarkson defensive rebound | ||
| 4:36 | | John Collins misses three point jump shot | ||
| 4:35 | | Clippers defensive rebound | ||
| 4:35 | | Ochai Agbaji personal foul (Loose ball) (Bones Hyland draws the foul) | ||
| 4:25 | | Ochai Agbaji personal foul (Paul George draws the foul) | ||
| 4:17 | | Kelly Olynyk shooting foul (Mason Plumlee draws the foul) | ||
| 4:17 | | Mason Plumlee misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | ||
| 4:17 | | Clippers offensive rebound | ||
| 4:17 | | +1 | Mason Plumlee makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 19-22 |
| 4:07 | | Collin Sexton misses two point layup | ||
| 4:04 | | Kawhi Leonard defensive rebound | ||
| 3:58 | | Bones Hyland turnover (bad pass) (Ochai Agbaji steals) | ||
| 3:45 | | Bones Hyland shooting foul (Collin Sexton draws the foul) | ||
| 3:45 | | +1 | Collin Sexton makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 19-23 |
| 3:45 | | Collin Sexton misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 3:43 | | Paul George defensive rebound | ||
| 3:30 | | Paul George misses three point jump shot | ||
| 3:28 | | John Collins defensive rebound | ||
| 3:20 | | Collin Sexton misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 3:17 | | John Collins offensive rebound | ||
| 3:08 | | +2 | Kelly Olynyk makes two point reverse layup | 19-25 |
| 2:53 | | +2 | Paul George makes two point pullup jump shot | 21-25 |
| 2:43 | | Bones Hyland personal foul (Kelly Olynyk draws the foul) | ||
| 2:43 | | Jazz 60 second timeout | ||
| 2:29 | | Kris Dunn misses three point jump shot | ||
| 2:24 | | Kelly Olynyk offensive rebound | ||
| 2:24 | | +2 | Kelly Olynyk makes two point putback layup | 21-27 |
| 2:11 | | Kris Dunn personal foul (Paul George draws the foul) | ||
| 2:11 | | +1 | Paul George makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 22-27 |
| 2:11 | | +1 | Paul George makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 23-27 |
| 1:53 | | +2 | Collin Sexton makes two point driving layup | 23-29 |
| 1:38 | | +3 | Bones Hyland makes three point jump shot | 26-29 |
| 1:18 | | +2 | Lauri Markkanen makes two point turnaround hook shot (Kelly Olynyk assists) | 26-31 |
| 1:05 | | Paul George misses two point turnaround jump shot | ||
| 1:03 | | Lauri Markkanen defensive rebound | ||
| 0:59 | | Kelly Olynyk turnover (out of bounds step) | ||
| 0:43 | | +2 | Norman Powell makes two point driving layup | 28-31 |
| 0:32 | | +2 | Collin Sexton makes two point floating jump shot | 28-33 |
| 0:21 | | Bones Hyland turnover (lost ball) (Kris Dunn steals) | ||
| 0:15 | | Nicolas Batum blocks Kris Dunn's two point jump shot | ||
| 0:12 | | Bones Hyland defensive rebound | ||
| 0:08 | | +2 | Bones Hyland makes two point driving bank jump shot | 30-33 |
| 0:01 | | Collin Sexton misses three point jump shot | ||
| 0:01 | | Mason Plumlee defensive rebound | ||
| 0:00 | | End of period |
| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:47 | | Norman Powell turnover (double dribble) | ||
| 11:37 | | +2 | Keyonte George makes two point driving floating jump shot (Kris Dunn assists) | 30-35 |
| 11:24 | | +2 | Russell Westbrook makes two point driving layup | 32-35 |
| 11:06 | | +3 | Lauri Markkanen makes three point jump shot (Talen Horton-Tucker assists) | 32-38 |
| 10:50 | | +2 | Bones Hyland makes two point fadeaway jump shot | 34-38 |
| 10:39 | | Nicolas Batum blocks Walker Kessler's two point layup | ||
| 10:35 | | Mason Plumlee defensive rebound | ||
| 10:30 | | Norman Powell misses three point jump shot | ||
| 10:28 | | Kris Dunn defensive rebound | ||
| 10:23 | | +3 | Talen Horton-Tucker makes three point jump shot (Lauri Markkanen assists) | 34-41 |
| 10:09 | | Russell Westbrook turnover (out of bounds lost ball) | ||
| 9:53 | | +3 | Lauri Markkanen makes three point jump shot (Keyonte George assists) | 34-44 |
| 9:47 | | Clippers 60 second timeout | ||
| 9:36 | | Talen Horton-Tucker blocks Ivica Zubac's two point layup | ||
| 9:31 | | Keyonte George defensive rebound | ||
| 9:29 | | +3 | Keyonte George makes three point pullup jump shot | 34-47 |
| 9:02 | | Clippers turnover (shot clock violation) | ||
| 8:52 | | Kawhi Leonard personal foul (Lauri Markkanen draws the foul) | ||
| 8:45 | | Lauri Markkanen turnover (bad pass) (Russell Westbrook steals) | ||
| 8:38 | | +2 | Bones Hyland makes two point driving layup (Nicolas Batum assists) | 36-47 |
| 8:27 | | Nicolas Batum personal foul (Talen Horton-Tucker draws the foul) | ||
| 8:18 | | Ivica Zubac blocks Talen Horton-Tucker's two point reverse layup | ||
| 8:15 | | Keyonte George offensive rebound | ||
| 8:13 | | +3 | Talen Horton-Tucker makes three point jump shot (Keyonte George assists) | 36-50 |
| 7:52 | | Kawhi Leonard misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 7:49 | | Walker Kessler defensive rebound | ||
| 7:34 | | Lauri Markkanen misses three point jump shot | ||
| 7:31 | | Kawhi Leonard defensive rebound | ||
| 7:25 | | +3 | Kawhi Leonard makes three point jump shot (Bones Hyland assists) | 39-50 |
| 7:25 | | Jazz 60 second timeout | ||
| 7:17 | | Kelly Olynyk turnover (out of bounds lost ball) | ||
| 7:06 | | Russell Westbrook turnover (bad pass) (Kelly Olynyk steals) | ||
| 7:01 | | Kelly Olynyk misses two point running layup | ||
| 6:59 | | Ivica Zubac defensive rebound | ||
| 6:53 | | John Collins blocks Ivica Zubac's two point layup | ||
| 6:53 | | Clippers offensive rebound | ||
| 6:41 | | John Collins shooting foul (Paul George draws the foul) | ||
| 6:41 | | +1 | Paul George makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 40-50 |
| 6:41 | | +1 | Paul George makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 41-50 |
| 6:22 | | Keyonte George turnover (out of bounds lost ball) | ||
| 6:11 | | Paul George offensive foul (Charge) (Kelly Olynyk draws the foul) | ||
| 6:11 | | Paul George turnover (offensive foul) | ||
| 6:00 | | Kris Dunn offensive foul (Robert Covington draws the foul) | ||
| 6:00 | | Kris Dunn turnover (offensive foul) | ||
| 5:51 | | Kawhi Leonard turnover (lost ball) (Jordan Clarkson steals) | ||
| 5:48 | | Nicolas Batum personal foul (John Collins draws the foul) | ||
| 5:36 | | Kris Dunn misses two point turnaround jump shot | ||
| 5:36 | | Kelly Olynyk offensive rebound | ||
| 5:36 | | +2 | Kelly Olynyk makes two point putback layup | 41-52 |
| 5:36 | | Robert Covington shooting foul (Kelly Olynyk draws the foul) | ||
| 5:36 | | +1 | Kelly Olynyk makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 41-53 |
| 5:18 | | +3 | Nicolas Batum makes three point jump shot (Robert Covington assists) | 44-53 |
| 5:00 | | John Collins misses three point jump shot | ||
| 4:58 | | Clippers defensive rebound | ||
| 4:58 | | Kelly Olynyk personal foul (Loose ball) (Russell Westbrook draws the foul) | ||
| 4:45 | | Collin Sexton personal foul (Paul George draws the foul) | ||
| 4:31 | | Kawhi Leonard misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 4:29 | | Jazz defensive rebound | ||
| 4:05 | | +2 | Collin Sexton makes two point layup (Kelly Olynyk assists) | 44-55 |
| 3:56 | | Russell Westbrook turnover (out of bounds lost ball) | ||
| 3:39 | | Kelly Olynyk turnover (traveling) | ||
| 3:20 | | +2 | Kawhi Leonard makes two point turnaround jump shot | 46-55 |
| 3:05 | | Russell Westbrook personal foul (John Collins draws the foul) | ||
| 3:05 | | +1 | John Collins makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 46-56 |
| 3:05 | | +1 | John Collins makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 46-57 |
| 2:50 | | +2 | Paul George makes two point stepback jump shot | 48-57 |
| 2:32 | | Lauri Markkanen misses three point jump shot | ||
| 2:29 | | Nicolas Batum defensive rebound | ||
| 2:23 | | Robert Covington misses three point jump shot | ||
| 2:21 | | Kelly Olynyk defensive rebound | ||
| 2:04 | | Robert Covington shooting foul (Jordan Clarkson draws the foul) | ||
| 2:04 | | Jordan Clarkson misses regular free throw 1 of 3 | ||
| 2:04 | | Jazz offensive rebound | ||
| 2:04 | | +1 | Jordan Clarkson makes regular free throw 2 of 3 | 48-58 |
| 2:04 | | +1 | Jordan Clarkson makes regular free throw 3 of 3 | 48-59 |
| 1:51 | | Kelly Olynyk personal foul (Kawhi Leonard draws the foul) | ||
| 1:45 | | Paul George misses three point jump shot | ||
| 1:39 | | Kawhi Leonard offensive rebound | ||
| 1:39 | | +2 | Kawhi Leonard makes two point putback layup | 50-59 |
| 1:13 | | +2 | Collin Sexton makes two point jump shot (Lauri Markkanen assists) | 50-61 |
| 1:01 | |