23 Royce O'Neale SF

O'Neale poured in 17 points (7-10 FG, 3-6 3Pt) and added four assists, two rebounds and one steal across 27 minutes during the Jazz's 118-98 loss to the Rockets in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series Wednesday.

O'Neale was a surprising source of offense off the bench, flashing a hot hand from all over the floor. Coach Quin Snyder opted to give O'Neale extended run in a quest to find some much-needed scoring punch, and the second-year wing delivered in fine fashion. However, it bears noting the 25-year-old only logged 15 minutes during Game 1, so his playing time will likely remain difficult to trust from game to game during the series.

O'Neale will get the start for Wednesday's game against Phoenix, Andy Larsen of KSL.com reports.

O'Neale will start in place of Ricky Rubio, who's out with a tight right hamstring. So far this season, O'Neale's parlayed 12 previous starts into averages of 9.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 31.9 minutes.

O'Neale racked up 17 points (6-13 FG, 5-10 3Pt), eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 40 minutes during Monday's 98-89 loss to the Thunder.

O'Neale earned a team high minute total and matched career highs in made threes and minutes. The continued absence of Ricky Rubio (hip), who missed his second straight game, has resulted in O'Neale stepping into the starting lineup for these last two tilts, and he reached double figures in scoring in both. Rubio was reportedly able to go through parts of Sunday's practice, so he could be close to rejoining the rotation. However, O'Neale's ability to defend and sink threes has helped him earn the trust of coach Quin Snyder, so anytime Rubio is sidelined O'Neale should be expected to collect the extra playing time.

O'Neale will start Friday against the Grizzlies, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

With Ricky Rubio (hip) out, Donovan Mitchell will slide to point guard, opening up a position in the starting five, which O'Neale will fill. In 10 previous starts this season, he's averaging 8.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 31.4 minutes.

O'Neale produced 17 points (6-7 FG, 4-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds and an assist across 25 minutes in the Jazz's win over the Spurs on Saturday.

O'Neale finished with his third straight double-digit scoring effort, fueled by hitting all four of his shots from downtown in Saturday's win. O'Neale is a great scoring option off the bench for the Jazz as he can heat up quickly and provide some juice to Utah's second unit. He's drained seven of eight three-pointers over his last two contests.