Knicks Season Sweep Jazz 134-117, Fueled by Jordan Clarkson’s Explosive Night
The New York Knicks faced off against the Utah Jazz in the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT, last night, and it was nothing short of entertaining. This Jazz (20-45) really needed a win as they currently sit 14th in the Western Conference, attempting to chase down the Portland Trailblazers, who are 11 games ahead.
The Knicks (41-25), who are currently in the three spot, are looking to clinch a number two seed in the Eastern Conference before the playoffs, following another disappointing road loss to the Clippers in a matchup that ended 126-118.
Jazz Come Out Hot
The Delta Center was buzzing with Knicks fans, but the Jazz came to play. Off of back-to-back threes from Brice Sensabaugh, they took an early 8-5 lead, and held it until the fourth quarter. Josh Hart was out for the Knicks with left knee soreness, and Landry Shamet took his spot in the starting lineup, playing 31 minutes and finishing the game with 7 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal.
It was understandable why the Over/Under for the game was 228.5, as the first quarter ended with a score of 41-26 with the Jazz in the lead. Sensabaugh led the Jazz with 9-of-19 shooting from the field and finished the game with 29 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal. As a team, the Jazz shot 48.3% from the field and 50% from the arc. With the worst defense in the league right now, they were able to get 7 steals off the Knicks and forced 10 turnovers.
Clarkson Came To Play
Knicks Head Coach Mike Brown has been going with other bench players as of late, such as Mohammed Diwara, Jeremy Sochan, and Jose Alvarado, but tonight he went with Jordan Clarkson. This was Clarkson’s first return to the Delta Center. Brown put him in in the first quarter, and he was nothing short of the Clarkson who won the Sixth Man of the Year award back in the 2020-2021 NBA season.
Clarkson played 27 minutes last night, finishing the game shooting 10-of-15 from the field with 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, right behind Jalen Brunson. Brunson finished with 28 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals. While OG Anunoby (22 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals) and Karl-Anthony Towns (21 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists) each made their much-needed contributions.
Jazz Lead Up Until the Fourth Quarter
It was looking a little bleak for the Knicks until the fourth quarter. The Jazz led at the end of all three quarters, even leading by as many as 18 early in the second quarter with a score of 49-31. With 1.6 left at the end of the third quarter, Brunson put the Knicks in the lead with a 3-point play, and the Knicks never looked back.
Clarkson scored or assisted on four baskets and added two free throws to fuel the run, resulting in back-to-back baskets that put the Knicks up 101-94 just less than a minute into the fourth quarter. Some wonder if Keyonte George hadn’t left the game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury, if the Jazz would have stayed in control. Unfortunately, we will never know, as he did not return, and the Knicks came out with the win, 134-117.
George played 20 minutes before his injury, finishing with 14 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal. Ace Bailey also made a strong contribution for the Jazz, scoring 21 points and getting 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Cody Williams (10 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists) and Kyle Filipowski (15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists) also put up good numbers in the loss.
FAQ Section
Q: What was the final score?
A: 134-117
Q: Who was the MVP of the game?
A: Jordan Clarkson
Q: What was the turning point?
A: Brunson completes a three-point play with 1.6 remaining in the third quarter, giving the Knicks the lead.
What’s Next For Each Team?
A: The Jazz try to close the gap between them and the Portland Trailblazers to make it into the Play-In Tournament for the Western Conference, and the Knicks keep looking to clinch the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Jazz take on the Portland Trailblazers on the road tomorrow, March 13, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. The Knicks are still on the road and take on the Indiana Pacers tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.
