Jazz Guard Ochai Agbaji Dunks All Over Sacramento Kings Defense
Oct 25, 2023, 9:16 PM
Utah Jazz guard Ochai Agbaji (30) reacts after a foul call during an NBA game at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Feb. 23, 2023. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Ochai Agbaji gave Utah Jazz fans the highlight they were waiting for with a posterizing slam in the fourth quarter.
The jam gave Agbaji his fifth point of the night.
talk about an OH MY OCHAI moment 🫢#TakeNote | @youngoch pic.twitter.com/eZbuK1MY0Z
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 26, 2023
Agbaji dunked on Sacramento guards Malik Monk and Chris Duarte.
Agabji got some redemption for teammate Kris Dunn who was dunked on by Monk earlier in the game.
Fox to Monk, and then… 😳 https://t.co/v7EUYBodSb pic.twitter.com/ZYkPAjojtF
— NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2023
Halfway through the final quarter, Utah trailed Sacramento, 116-101.
How Did Talen Horton-Tucker Win Starting Job For Jazz?
After much discussion throughout the offseason about who would win the job, Talen Horton-Tucker will be starting for the Utah Jazz in their season opener.
Coach Will Hardy announced the decision during his pregame availability as the Jazz prepared to take on the Sacramento Kings to tip off their 50th season.
The first of 𝟴𝟮 🛎️#StartingLineup | @zionsbank pic.twitter.com/fDeGU1zAq8
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 26, 2023
Jordan Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Walker Kessler will join Horton-Tucker in the Jazz starting lineup.
During Jazz training camp Hardy compared the Jazz guard depth to the “Hunger Games” — a battle royal to earn minutes in the team’s rotation.
Though the Jazz’s coach waited until opening night to officially name Horton-Tucker the starter, there were signs throughout the preseason that the 22-year-old had a leg-up on the job.
Horton-Tucker was the only Jazz guard to start all five preseason games, and was the team’s second-leading minute-getter.
The @utahjazz starting lineup:
G: Talen Horton-Tucker
G: Jordan Clarkson
F: Lauri Markkanen
F: John Collins
C: Walker Kessler#TakeNote | @kslsports— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 25, 2023
In nearly 22 minutes a night, the Iowa State product averaged 14.2 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 45 percent from the floor and 36 percent from three.
Despite his strong offensive numbers, it’s on the defensive end where the Jazz coaching staff wants see Horton-Tucker shine.
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Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.
