Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
The Utah Jazz are two wins away from a championship.
Hey, a summer league title is still a title.
Playing without their three most recent first-round picks and second-year forward Ochai Agbaji, the Jazz came from down by 8 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Phoenix Suns 97-93 Friday. With the win, the Jazz improved to 4-0 and advanced to the semifinals of the Las Vegas Summer League.
Utah will face the Houston Rockets Sunday at 4 p.m. MDT, with the winner advancing to Monday's title bout. The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Brooklyn Nets in the other semifinal.
The Jazz entered Friday's game needing a victory to advance to the tournament stage of the summer league, and it looked like things would be dire for the team.
The Jazz were without first-round picks Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George and Brice Sensabaugh — Hendricks (right hamstring strain) and Sensabaugh (surgery recovery) have yet to suit up for Utah this summer, and George sprained his ankle in Utah's game Wednesday. The Jazz also ruled out Agbaji Friday afternoon due to low back tightness.
That, nor an 8-point deficit entering the fourth quarter, could stop the Jazz. Johnny Juzang had 24 points, seven rebounds and four assists to lead Utah, while Luka Samanic added 22 points, six rebounds and four assists in the win.
Utah started the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run, and then went on a 9-0 run to pull away late. Utah survived a late Phoenix push at the end to move onto the semifinals.
Hendricks and Sensabaugh have been officially listed as day-to-day, but it's not expected they will make their debut this weekend. George, meanwhile, has been ruled out for the rest of summer league.
