Isaiah Collier delivered a night for the record books, handing out a career-high 22 assists as the Utah Jazz leaned on a seven-man rotation to beat the Indiana Pacers 131-122 on Tuesday night.
Collier’s assist total was the most in the NBA this season and the highest by a Jazz player since John Stockton dished out 22 in 1992. The rookie played all 48 minutes, adding 17 points, and helped Utah place every available player in double figures.
Lauri Markkanen led the scoring with 27 points for the Jazz, who were severely shorthanded following a major trade earlier in the day that sent Georges Niang, Kyle Anderson, Walter Clayton Jr. and Taylor Hendricks to Memphis in exchange for Jaren Jackson Jr., Jock Landale, John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr. None of the newcomers were available, leaving Utah with just seven healthy bodies.
Brice Sensabaugh scored 20 points, Ace Bailey added 19, and Kyle Filipowski posted a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double as Utah kept its offense humming throughout the night. Collier orchestrated it all, consistently finding shooters and cutters while keeping the Pacers at arm’s length.
Indiana countered with 24 points apiece from Quenton Johnson, who went 9 of 10 from the field, and Jarace Walker. The Pacers rested several regulars, including All-Star Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell, one night after a loss to Houston. Kam Jones made his first career start and scored 12 points.
Utah was also without Keyonte George, Kevin Love and Walker Kessler, while Jusuf Nurkic was available but did not play. Despite the absences, the Jazz controlled the tempo behind Collier’s playmaking and closed out the win late.
Up next:
The Jazz head to Atlanta on Thursday night, while the Pacers continue their road trip at Milwaukee on Friday.
