The [Utah Jazz](https://www.slcdunk.com) and [Washington Wizards](https://www.bulletsforever.com) squared off in one of the most critical games in the quest for Cooper Flagg. With it being in Utah, the Wizards had the advantage to lose this one, as well as it being the final game in a 7-game road trip. Sadly, for the Jazz, they were unable to tank this one well enough and won 128-112.
For a little bit, it looked like the Wizards might have a chance to beat the Jazz in this one. They started off with some nice play from Alex Sarr, who scored 22 points with 9 rebounds and shot 4/8 from three. But you could tell the Wizards didn’t have it, at least more than usual, because of fatigue from a long road trip.
The Jazz, who rested multiple guys to give themselves a chance in this one, got some big nights from some of their young players. Walker Kessler shot 6 threes and only made one from the corner. It was obviously an attempt to give Kessler a chance to work on a part of his game that he most likely won’t get when the Jazz are looking to win. Even though it’s not falling for him, the form looks decent. It helped them to some extent in this one, but the Jazz probably underestimated the suckitude of the Wizards. They’re built for this in ways the Jazz may not be.
Brice Sensabaugh had a big game for Utah, scoring 16 points on 7/11 shooting, including 3/6 from three. That scoring from Sensabaugh looks nice so often, and you hope that he can figure out a way to defend consistently and stop turning the ball over.
Utah also got a big game from Kyle Filipowski, who continues to look like the Jazz’s best rookie. Filipowski scored 21 points with 4 rebounds and 2 assists playing off of Walker Kessler at the 4. Filipowski did this on an ultra-efficient 8/11 from the field. Oh, and by the way, he did that in 21 minutes. The offensive output by Kyle Filipowski is truly fantastic, and Utah got him in the second round. He's 100% the steal of the draft.
This win is not great, but the Jazz still hold the #2 spot in the lottery standings. The Jazz also have just one tank-off left this season when they take on the Charlotte Hornets on March 31. It’s unclear what happens from now until then, but that may be a vitally important loss for Utah, and they may have to not play Filipowski to lose it. Who knew we’d be saying that before the season started?