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Jordan Clarkson’s Monumental Jazz Feat Gets an Appreciation From Its Predecessor: “Passing the Torch”

Published 03/05/2024, 8:34 AM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

Jordan Clarkson made history! The player took center stage, delivering a jaw-dropping performance that left the Utah Jazz roaring to victory over the Washington Wizards with a final score of 127-115. Clarkson notched up a season-high 38 points. With that, the player also broke numerous records winning fans’ hearts.

Clarkson achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first player to amass 38 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists without being part of the starting lineup. The 2021 Sixth Man of the Year also leveled up an amazing feat of a franchise record for the most 30-point games off the bench. With his 13th 30-point game, he broke NBA legend Thurl Bailey’s previous record.

After the game, Bailey himself interviewed the player about his recent feat. Bailey recently shared the entire conversation on his X and wrote, “Passing the torch to my man @JordanClarksons broke the Jazz all-time record for 30-point games off the bench. Congratulations JC.”

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“It etches my time here in Utah. Winning Sixth Man of Year and all those things play a part in the history and culture that’s being built here,” said Clarkson about his feat. Here is the clip for you to see.

Thurl Bailey came into the league as the 7th pick in the 1983 NBA Draft. He was highly touted for leading North Carolina State in points and rebounding during their NCAA championship run. In his first two seasons, Bailey started for the Utah Jazz. But after Karl Malone was drafted in 1985, coach Frank Layden deferred Bailey to the sixth man role.

Until 1991, Bailey contributed off the bench, finishing second in the Sixth Man race twice. He would return to Utah in 1999, play his last season and transition to the role of broadcast analyst for the Utah Jazz. It was in that role that he interviewed Clarkson after the guard broke Bailey’s decades-old record.

Jordan Clarkson’s record was just the cherry on the cake

The Jazz were truly impressive in this game. Not to forget, the team did not have their key players for this matchup. Both Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler were not present to lead the team. While Markkanen was out with his thigh injury, Kessler was ruled out for his foot sprain.

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Jazz player Taylor Hendricks also couldn’t make it to the second half of the game to maintain the consistency. But that’s when Clarkson had his opportunity. And he successfully managed to propel the Jazz and broke the team’s three-game losing streak while setting a franchise record.

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With few minutes left, the score was tied at 113 and that is when Clarkson showcased a 12-0 run, propelling the team to a 125-113 lead. On the other hand, the Wizards also put up their best but couldn’t surpass the Jazz. While Poole delivered 32 points, Kuzma also dished out 23 points and eight assists to help.

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Did you catch the Jazz-Wizards game? What do you think about Clarkson’s record-breaking performance? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Written by:

Pritha Debroy

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Pritha is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. After reporting on the luxurious lifestyle of celebrities for a year, she used that experience to cover the glamor side of the basketball world. She has expertly covered Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan's complicated love story and the lavish vacations of NBA superstars, among other off-court scoops.
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Edited by:

Aakash Nair