Johnny Juzang’s career-night not sufficient as Jazz lose twelfth straight

SAN FRANCISCO — A few week in the past, Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy gave Johnny Juzang some recommendation: All minutes are good minutes.

It did not matter if it was within the G League or one other lopsided loss — the Jazz fell to Golden State 118-110 on Sunday in San Francisco — there ought to at all times be which means when a participant steps on the courtroom.

The factor is Juzang most likely did not want the reminder. He is aware of what it is prefer to be on the massive stage and is aware of what it is prefer to be practically forgotten.

It has been three years since Juzang was one of the crucial talked about basketball gamers on the primary weekend of April.

Then, Juzang led UCLA to an inconceivable Closing 4 look, incomes a run of accolades on the best way. He scored half of the Bruins’ factors in an Elite Eight victory, was named the highest participant of the East Area, and had 28 factors in UCLA’s extra time loss within the nationwide semifinal recreation.

Three years later, Juzang caught fireplace once more.

The Utah Jazz two-way wing scored a career-high 27 factors — together with a scorching 22-point first half — in Utah’s loss on the Warriors.

“Johnny’s put in numerous laborious work the final two years,” Hardy mentioned. “Popping out of UCLA, Johnny was a scorer — he did a bit little bit of all the things. We have tried to assist Johnny transition into a bit bit extra of a shooter mindset.”

He proved to be fairly comfy in that position Sunday. Juzang ran across the perimeter looking 3s, hitting his first 5 makes an attempt and ending 7-of-8 from deep.

“I assumed tonight he did a extremely good job of showcasing numerous the work that he is executed,” Hardy mentioned. “Specifically, I am pleased with how he was working in transition.”

Hardy identified that Golden State’s Klay Thompson and Steph Curry have used transition alternatives to seek out open triples, whilst groups have keyed on them for over a decade now (Thompson made six 3-pointers Sunday for the Warriors; Curry sat out for relaxation). Juzang, equally, ran the open courtroom to get clear appears to be like on his profession night time.

“I am very happy with the work that Johnny has executed,” Hardy mentioned. “He hasn’t gotten a ton of credit score the final two years as a result of he hasn’t gotten as a lot time with us as possibly he is needed. However he is stayed prepared. He is put the work in, he takes actually excellent care of his physique — Johnny could be very well-conditioned. I feel it is one among his strengths that is not talked about very a lot, so it is at all times good to see an evening like tonight the place the work pays off.”

Juzang credited his teammates for locating him and the prep he is executed with the Jazz teaching employees. It additionally helped to see the primary shot go down — a step-back 3-pointer. That kickstarted a four-minute stretch to complete the primary quarter when Juzang hit 4 triples.

“Simply acquired it rolling early and located a rhythm,” he mentioned. “That is one thing I have been specializing in simply discovering a rhythm, taking my time with the shot. The appears to be like have been there early, they discovered me, and coach trusted me.”

And he rewarded that belief with one of the best recreation of his Jazz profession.

It simply did not are available in a win. The Jazz, as soon as once more, have been foiled by their gradual begin and fell behind by double digits within the first quarter and by no means recovered. It was Utah’s twelfth straight loss — the third-longest dropping streak in franchise historical past.

So when requested what Juzang nonetheless needs to perform this season, the reply was straightforward:

“Get a win.”