Inside The Jazz

Jazz's John Collins Sounds Off on Viral Game Winner vs. Mavericks

The Utah Jazz big man came up big during the team's third regular season win.

Jared Koch

Nov 14, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward John Collins (20) dunks the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Nov 14, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward John Collins (20) dunks the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images / Rob Gray-Imagn Images
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The Utah Jazz finally escaped their woes to start the season on their home floor, as they finally secured a win in Delta Center on Thursday night, escaping a close one against the Dallas Mavericks-- an effort that was ultimately won 115-113.

It's a win that brings the Jazz to their third win of the year for a 3-8 overall record, and evens the season series against the Mavericks on the year 1-1.

In the end, we saw John Collins make the game-saving play on the offensive end with just under seven seconds to go, catching an amazing feed from Jordan Clarkson for a highlight dunk to secure the two-point win.

Collins sounded off after the victory on what he saw during the Jazz's final possession of the game.

"If you watched the play, me and [Clarkson] were just, kind of, looking at each other," Collins said. "You can see JC saying 'No! Stay! Here you go!... It was a great play that showed our chemistry. We always say 'the JC to JC connection,' but at the end of the day, [Clarkson] made a great read, finished the play, and finally got a home win. We've been searching, and striving hard to get it."

Collins finished the night making another statement during his second start, as he posted 28 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals on 50% shooting from the field. It remains to be seen if he'll maintain his place in the starting five once Walker Kessler returns to full health, but at this point, it's hard not to like the production we're seeing out of the veteran big man.

Collins and the Jazz will get back on the road for another four-game trip for their next contest, beginning on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings at Golden One Center.

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Jared Koch
JARED KOCH

Jared Koch is the Associate Editor of The Frozen Rope — SI.com's team website covering the Utah Jazz. He's covered the NBA and NFL for the past two years, also being the Managing Editor of Inside The Kings — SI.com's team website covering the Sacramento Kings.

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