2 Risers & 2 Fallers After Jazz’s 102-110 Loss Against Nuggets

After Monday’s 102-110 loss to the Denver Nuggets, the Utah Jazz have unfortunately fallen to a 1-3 record to start their 2023-24 campaign. Running through a gauntlet four-game schedule to start the year, the Jazz will now have to play catch-up to make a dent in the Western Conference standings.

Within this early stretch of games, some players have made some initial impressions (both good and bad) and have adjusted their stock since entering the season.

Here are two risers and two fallers for the Jazz after a disappointing loss takes them a bit further under .500 to begin the year:

Risers:

John Collins

Through his first four games with the franchise, John Collins has already proven to be a steal for the price he was acquired. He finished the night with 15 points and 9 rebounds, highlighted by scoring nine straight points for the team in the second quarter.

The streak of double-doubles unfortunately ends for Collins, but the six-year NBA vet has looked to have little issue in finding his place within this new system. With things being so early in the season, there may still be room to grow for the former Hawk.

Walker Kessler

While his 2023-24 campaign started a bit sluggish, the rust came off in Walker Kessler’s duel against Nikola Jokic. While Jokic still managed to hold his own with a triple-double of 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists on the night, Kessler didn’t back down easily. He reached a double-double for himself quickly into the third quarter, finishing with 22 points, 13 boards, and a block.

Walker Kessler in a loss vs the Nuggets

29 MIN
22 PTS
13 REB
1 BLK
10-11 FG

He’s back.
— KesslerMuse (@MuseKessler) October 31, 2023

Questions arose early surrounding Kessler’s lack of usage and the minutes he played, but those concerns have since been silenced after tonight, closing in on almost 30 minutes played on the night. The second-year big looks to keep trending up as he continues to fill the role of this team’s full-time center and defensive anchor.

Fallers:

Jordan Clarkson

The first half of this contest was not particularly kind to Clarkson. He started this game shooting 1/4 from the field, accompanied by an ugly five turnovers compared to four assists. He finished off the game shooting a lackluster 20% from the field and missing the mark on all four of his threes.

For Clarkson to provide maximum value for this team, his ability and efficiency as a playmaker need to improve. Without any lead guard to rely on entering into the season like the Jazz had last year with Mike Conley, the responsibility now leans on Clarkson to step up into that role. However, four games in, there is still a bit more to be desired from the nine-year vet.

Ochai Agbaji

Ochai Agbaji may get a bit of a pass on this one, considering he sustained a minor knee in his last game against the Phoenix Suns, but tonight's performance was not a great one. In 14 minutes played, he posted zero points on a 0/5 line from the field, with two rebounds and two assists to pair with it.

There is a place on this roster for Agbaji to be a nightly contributor on both ends of the floor, but it starts with having consistency. It’s still very early in the season, and he’s still a very young player, but we hope to see more from Ochai during his sophomore campaign.

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