Fan Favorite Set for Season Debut as Utah Jazz Face LA Clippers
The Utah Jazz are set to debut Oscar Tshiebwe in their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Head coach Will Hardy confirmed that Tshiebwe will take the court for his first official game of the season. This follows a period where he has primarily played with the SLC Stars, the Jazz’s G League affiliate.
New Starting Lineup for the Jazz
In light of multiple injuries, the Jazz will introduce a new starting lineup. The starters for this game include:
- Isaiah Collier – Point Guard
- Svi Mykhailiuk – Wing
- Brice Sensabaugh – Wing
- Taylor Hendricks – Power Forward
- Kyle Filipowski – Center
This lineup adjustment comes as the team faces significant player absences. Keyonte George is out due to an illness, Lauri Markkanen has a knee injury, Jusuf Nurkic is sidelined with a toe issue, and Ace Bailey is dealing with a hip problem. Additionally, Kevin Love will sit out for the second consecutive game.
Oscar Tshiebwe’s Role
This game marks a significant opportunity for Oscar Tshiebwe. As one of the team’s three two-way signees this season, Tshiebwe has been activated for several games without playing. With Walker Kessler out for the season and the Jazz lacking depth at center, Tshiebwe’s presence is timely.
Last season, Tshiebwe demonstrated his potential by averaging 7.6 points and 8.7 rebounds in roughly 18 minutes per game. He started in 14 out of 22 games, proving to be a strong rebounder during his minutes on the floor. His performance against the Clippers will be crucial for showcasing his skills once again.
Game Details
The matchup between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers is set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. MT at the Intuit Dome. Fans can expect an exciting game as the Jazz navigate their challenging circumstances.