Elijah Harkless Knocks Down Three For First NBA Points

SALT LAKE CITY- With six Jazzmen out of the lineup, some younger guys are gaining the opportunity to play extended minutes against the Brooklyn Nets.

One of them is the rookie out of UNLV, Elijah Harkless. He logged his first NBA action last night against the Phoenix Suns with nine minutes. He missed his only shot attempt but pulled down four rebounds, but tonight in his second game, Harkless logged his first professional points.

Elijah took a few shots, and even got to the free-throw line in the first half, but was still unable to register any points. Plus, his three in the second quarter fouls limited his minutes.

However, he returned to action in the third quarter. Svi Mykhailiuk was getting double-teamed on the right wing, leaving one of his teammates unguarded. Svi whipped a pass cross-court to a wide-open Elijah Harkless, who knocked down the corner three right in front of the Brooklyn bench, good for his first NBA points.

first bucket as a jazzman 🥰#TakeNote | @ejay_hoops2 pic.twitter.com/rv1O5phVjv

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 13, 2025

The Jazz currently lead the Brooklyn Nets 91-84 with nine minutes remaining in the game.

Jazz Elijah Harkless Makes NBA Debut Against Suns

With Johnny Juzang sidelined with a fractured hand, two-way guard Elijah Harkless made his NBA debut in Phoenix recording four points in nine minutes on the floor.

The Jazz signed Harkless on January 1, and it didn’t take long for the rookie to get called up from the G League due to the team’s injury-depleted roster.

Harkless, 24, is a strong defender on the perimeter and showed his hustle on the glass, but his offensive game remains a work in progress.

Elijah Harkless making his NBA debut right now for the @utahjazz.

Always cool to see guys make their dreams come true.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 11, 2025

Related: Jazz Sign Elijah Harkless To Two-Way Contract

The guard shares similarities with former Jazzman and current Suns wing Royce O’Neale who earned a starting job in Utah as a reliable three-point shooter, a versatile defender, and someone who rebounds well for his position.

Harkless is smaller than O’Neale, but their strengths and weaknesses are similar.

The guard has been stellar in four appearances with the Salt Lake City Stars this season averaging 29.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 48 percent from the floor and 53 percent from three.

Tanner Tripp is a sports writer for KSL Sports covering all teams across the state of Utah. Follow him on X @tanner_tripp and Instagram @tanner.tripp here.

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