PORTLAND, Ore. — The Utah Jazz, led by Collin Sexton’s 27 points and Simone Fonteccio’s 24, emerged victorious against the Portland Trail Blazers with a 122-114 win on Thursday night. Despite missing key players, the Jazz displayed resilience and skill in their triumph.
The Jazz, playing without All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, Jordan Clarkson, and Keyonte George, managed to extend their lead to 33 points in the second half. Sexton’s performance was complemented by Fonteccio, who showcased exceptional efficiency by shooting 7 of 8 from the field, including a perfect 5 for 5 from beyond the arc. Talen Horton-Tucker also contributed significantly with 23 points.
On the other side, the Trail Blazers, now on a five-game losing streak and standing at 6-17, were led by rookie guard Scoot Henderson. Henderson impressed with a career-high 23 points and 10 assists in the opener of a five-game homestand for Portland. Rookie forward Toumani Camara set a personal best with 18 points, and Deandre Ayton, returning from a knee injury, added 14 points and nine rebounds.
The Jazz’s shooting accuracy was a key factor in their win, hitting 53.3% from the field compared to Portland’s 41.7%. Despite the Trail Blazers’ late push with their reserves in the fourth quarter, reducing the deficit to eight, the Jazz’s earlier lead proved insurmountable.
This victory marked the second consecutive win for Utah, following their success against the New York Knicks at home on Wednesday.
Looking ahead, the Jazz are set to face the Kings in Sacramento on Saturday, hoping to build on their recent momentum. The Trail Blazers, aiming to break their losing streak, will host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday in what promises to be a challenging matchup.
