Jazz Update Collin Sexton's Status for Thunder Matchup

The Utah Jazz will be down a starter when they resume play versus the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jazz Update Collin Sexton's Status for Thunder Matchup
Jazz Update Collin Sexton's Status for Thunder Matchup /

The Utah Jazz host the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first game post-All-Star break at Vivint Arena on Thursday night. Oklahoma City enters the contest with a clean bill of health, but Utah will be missing a key contributor.

Starting point guard Collin Sexton will be absent due to the hamstring injury that was reaggravated in the 117-111 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies prior to the break. Sexton will be out a minimum of two games with a reevaluation of the injury on Monday.

The Jazz head into the home stretch in striking distance for a playoff berth, but there’s no time to waste. Currently, the Jazz are the No. 11 seed in a congested Western Conference with a 29-31 record and only 22 games remaining. However, Utah is only two games back from the No. 6 seed with seven of its next eight games against teams with a losing record.

Getting off on the right foot on Thursday night will be crucial against an opponent that the Jazz are one-half game behind in the standings and face three times out of their next five games. The Jazz will have their work cut out for them with Sexton absent. 

Jordan Clarkson and Talen Horton-Tucker will need to step up and handle the majority of the ball-handling duties. The Jazz did recently sign Kris Dunn and Frank Jackson to the active roster, but prior to those moves, Sexton was the only rostered point guard.

Despite Sexton being out, the Jazz are still a one-point favorite, according to Las Vegas. Tip-off is at 7:00 pm MDT.


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Patrick Byrnes
PATRICK BYRNES

Patrick Byrnes is the Deputy Editor of The Frozen Rope — SI.com's team website covering the Utah Jazz.