The Jazz’s 119-117 loss to the Bulls on Wednesday included a scuffle in the closing seconds, Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic reports.
With Utah down one and nine seconds left, Collin Sexton fouled DeMar DeRozan next to the Bulls’ bench. Sexton and injured Bulls forward Torrey Craig exchanged words, leading to an escalation. Bulls assistant coach Chris Fleming shoved Utah big man John Collins, who reached for Fleming’s neck before they were separated.
“I ran over. I’m standing there. And the coach comes over and just shoves me for no reason,” Collins said. “Y’all can go watch the film. And I just protected myself. I’m literally just standing there, and the dude puts a forearm in my chest and is pushing me back. So I don’t know. He needs some more self-control. But it’s whatever. I don’t know what to say about that. That was weird.”
A technical foul was called on Craig, while Collins and Fleming were handed double technicals. DeRozan’s free throws proved to be decisive but Bulls coach Billy Donovan was upset with his team and staff.
“We’ve got to be able to do a better job than that all the way around,” he said. “And I’m not just saying the players. On the bench. Everybody. We’ve got to be better in those moments.”
We have more Jazz news:
- Rookie forward Taylor Hendricks will be reevaluated next week after injuring his left big toe, Sarah Todd of The Deseret News tweets. Hendricks, whose playing time has expanded since the trade deadline, was injured during the second quarter of the Jazz’s game against Washington on Monday. An MRI confirmed a ligament sprain to the toe.
- Kris Dunn has revived his career with the Jazz after stints in the G League during the 2021/22 and ’22/23 seasons. The 2016 lottery pick never lost faith that he’d return to the NBA, he told K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “I always knew I was going to get back,” he said. “The main thing with me was the health part. I had to get my body back and then my shooting. I had to clean those two things up.” Dunn will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.
- In case you missed it, Isaiah Thomas has joined the Jazz’s G League, the Salt Lake City Stars, with the aim of getting another NBA contract.
It’s weird but I like John Collins even more now that he doesn’t play for the Hawks. Just a cool guy… The future for the Jazz looks about as bleak as this past year.5 without Spida/Rudy have been. For all the 1st rd draft picks they picked up in those trades, they’re only projected to have the #29 pick this yr. Beyond some aggressive tanking/lottery luck in the next few months to keep their top10 pick in this draft (& then taking a future HOFer with that pick) its hard to see how they become a contender in the West anytime soon
They have already succeeded. As of last night’s loss they have the 10th worst record. I could see them moving into the 8th spot fairly easily. Houston and Atlanta will be trying to win more than they are.
What have they succeeded at? Even if they get that pick & draft a big time prospect like Cody Williams or Knecht they still looking at mediocre play then late season tanking for at least a few more yrs after this
Some are starting to see that the Jazz might be willing to tank next year as well as the rest of this year. They have 3 picks in 2025.
2026, however, is where a bunch of pick swaps are available. If they don’t convey this year, or next year, then those are in jeopardy of being lost.
If they tank this year, ’25 and ’26 then no worries. However, that’s hard to do. Takes real commitment from everyone. Lol
The jazz may not need the pick swaps if they real sick that bad and if they are really good then it doesn’t matter. The jazz just need to avoid a bad trade or deal as they are quickly retooling.
No doubt it will be hard for them to lose with some of their top talent like laurie.
The rookies are coming along and so the jazz will likely make some key trades rather draft on every pick.
Time will tell but there is no need to look back.