Utah Jazz ahead Lauri Markkanen tries to dribble previous Oklahoma Metropolis guard Luguentz Dort throughout sport Friday, March, 3, 2023, in Oklahoma Metropolis. The sport marked the primary of six highway video games for the Jazz. Nate Billings, Related Press
Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy, left, talks to ahead Juan Toscano-Anderson throughout sport in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Friday, March, 3, 2023, in Oklahoma Metropolis. The Jazz are within the midst of a grueling six-game highway journey, however based on Hardy there may be one small silver lining. Nate Billings, Related Press
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The Utah Jazz are at present on their longest highway journey of the season — six video games in 5 cities throughout 13 days away from residence.
Although the grind of journey and dwelling out of a suitcase can put on on the physique and thoughts, there are undoubtedly some advantages to spending an prolonged period of time on the highway.
“My children stand up very early,” Jazz coach Will Hardy stated simply earlier than the primary sport of the journey. “So a constructive can be that this morning, though I like them and I do miss them very a lot, they weren't together with my mattress at a time that began with ‘5.’”
Hardy was solely sort of joking. Being on the highway can truly be a little bit of a reprieve for gamers and coaches who've youngsters and households and different tasks — issues that may distract them again residence.
Being at residence additionally provides a sure stage of consolation and familiarity, however the crew additionally splits off into their very own particular person worlds. On the highway, they're sort of pressured to be round one another for meals and outings and all of the journey, and it creates some bonding that doesn’t all the time occur at residence.
Additionally, as Lauri Markkanen put it, the highway makes you depend on your teammates extra.
“I like enjoying on the highway,” he stated. “It’s simply us on the market and we’re not gonna get any increase from the gang or something like that.”
The Jazz began out their journey with two video games in Oklahoma Metropolis on Friday and Sunday. They’ll play in Dallas on Tuesday, Orlando on Thursday, Charlotte on Saturday and Miami on Monday.
After they end off the video games, the Jazz are staying in Miami after their sport in opposition to the Warmth reasonably than flying straight residence, permitting them an evening to unwind in South Seaside.
By the point the Jazz get residence after the journey there'll solely be 13 video games left within the 2022-23 NBA season.
New with the Jazz
This week on ‘Unsalvageable’
Try “Unsalvageable,” hosted by Deseret Information Utah Jazz beat reporter Sarah Todd and lifelong Jazz fan Greg Foster (no, not that Greg Foster).
This week the crew eulogizes Russell Westbrook’s profession, talks about all the Ja Morant nonsense after which will get into the most recent Jazz information — Walker Kessler is Rookie of the Month, Kris Dunn will get one other 10-day deal and the remainder of this season isn't going to be fairly.
New episodes come out each week. You may hear on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and wherever else you stream podcasts.
Stat of the week
Utah Jazz rookie Walker Kessler was named Rookie of the Month for the Western Convention for video games performed in February. Kessler averaged 10.6 factors, 11.4 rebounds and three.2 blocks per sport whereas being the one rookie to common a double-double during the last month.
From the archives
Additional factors
- A deeper take a look at Simone Fontecchio, Johnny Juzang and Kris Dunn (Deseret Information)
- What it means for the Jazz as AT&T SportsNet prepares to close down (KSL.com)
- Quin Snyder stated entrance workplace character a part of resolution to hitch Hawks (Salt Lake Tribune)
Across the league
Ja Morant to overlook not less than two video games after incident with gun.
The Warriors lastly have Stephen Curry again within the lineup.
LeBron James to overlook not less than 3 weeks with foot damage.
Up subsequent
March 7 | 6:30 p.m. | Utah Jazz @ Dallas Mavericks | AT&T SportsNet
March 9 | 5 p.m. | Utah Jazz @ Orlando Magic | AT&T SportsNet
March 11 | 5 p.m. | Utah Jazz @ Charlotte Hornets | AT&T SportsNet
March 13 | 5:30 p.m. | Utah Jazz @ Miami Warmth | AT&T SportsNet
Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy, left, talks to ahead Juan Toscano-Anderson throughout sport in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Friday, March, 3, 2023, in Oklahoma Metropolis. The Jazz are within the midst of a grueling six-game highway journey, however based on Hardy there may be one small silver lining.
Nate Billings, Related Press