A. It makes no difference to me how this game played out because Mo Bamba is officially in the Utah Jazz record books after years of teasing. I feel for Bamba, the si …
It certainly seemed like Utah was going to run away with it in Philadelphia, leading for most of the fourth quarter before the home Sixers slipped ahead to win 106-102. Utah maintains its tank race momentum (phew), and Philly advances without the services of Joel Embiid, but what’s new?
Well…
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Mo Bamba – A
It makes no difference to me how this game played out because Mo Bamba is officially in the Utah Jazz record books after years of teasing. I feel for Bamba, the sixth overall pick in his draft class, whose career has been entirely overshadowed by a mediocre song. Hopping from team to team, most Gen Z-ers probably recognize the name more than the player, and that makes me feel simultaneously old and hipster.
Bamba gets an A based on vibes alone. He deserves it.
Keyonte George – A-
We certainly missed Keyonte while he was out with an injury, and he’s taken no time at all to remind us how great he’s become in his third season. Who would’ve thought that Utah would find their point guard of the future with the 16th overall pick?
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After a slow start, Key pulled together his second-straight 30-point game since his return — even after bearing the weight of Nikola Jokic, carrying Denver’s pillar on his back in the previous game. I got distracted. Keyonte was dynamite at carrying the scoring load, knocking through 50% of his threes and finishing with 30. Do we want to see more from a playmaking standpoint? Sure. But buckets are buckets, and Keyonte is one.
Kyle Filipowski – C-
I wouldn’t blame you if you had forgotten Filipowski played at all tonight. Despite opening in the starting lineup, Flip posted just 6 points in 22 minutes.
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John Konchar – B-
Konchar does Konchar things — filling in the gaps off the bench. Sure, he didn’t do much as far as scoring the ball, but with 3 assists, plus a steal and a block, seeing Konchar get minutes brings a smile to my face.
Cody Williams – C+
Classic Cody performance. 9 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and some decent defense. 3 for 6 from the field and 1 for 4 from deep is also incredibly on brand.
Ace Bailey – C-
Ace really struggled to get it going tonight, and this is bound to happen for a player his age. 5 for 16 from the field and 12 points is fine. It’s fine.
On to the next one for Ace.
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Isaiah Collier – B+
Collier bought a timeshare at the free throw line tonight, with a team-high 8 attempts from the stripe. He felt right at home in his new spot, too, knocking down 100% of those foul shots.
He stuck to his strengths, posting 18 points without a single three-point attempt, while adding 5 dimes (a bit low by his standard), and 3 steals. No waste from Zay tonight, and he’s proving his worth as a backup point guard.
John Hinson – B+
3 for 5 from distance, and 11 points in 18 minutes? Nobody knew this guy’s name a few months ago, but now a very niche subsection of basketball fans will be celebrating his emergence with Utah.
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Elijah Harkless – B
Is Harkless emerging as an excellent defender? You bet! He proved that against Denver, and he showed similar flashes tonight. But he was an absolute non-factor offensively, and you’d hope for more when he’s given the starting nod.
Brice Sensabaugh – D+
He’s hot. He’s cold. He’s 3 for 12 in Philly.
Oscar Tshiebwe – C
Seeing Oscar Tshiebwe sub in for Mo Bamba was a sicko’s fever dream, and an undeniable indicator that we’re approaching a critical tanking stretch of the season.
Tshiebwe did what Tshiebwe does best: board, board, board. Unfortunately, he likewise did what Tshiebwe does most: sit, sit, sit. Short stint, but he got in the game, didn’t he? That’s a win!
Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and College Sports since 2024.
Source: Utah News