Fueled by Kobe’s last words, Clarkson drops season-high 31 points

Don’t look now, but the Utah Jazz bandwagon is running full speed ahead after winning its 10th straight game, 116-104, against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, January 27 (Thursday, January 28, Manila time).

While All-Star center Rudy Gobert anchored both ends of the floor with an impressive 29-point, 20-rebound double-double, it was Fil-Am guard Jordan Clarkson who led all scorers with a season-high 31 points off the bench on 11-of-21 shooting with 4 triples.

Clarkson’s scoring burst was to be expected following the absence of All-Star backcourt mate Donovan Mitchell, who didn’t see action due to concussion protocols after being hurt during Utah’s win over New York.

But the 6-foot-4 guard is also working off added motivation over the last few heavy days as Clarkson remembers his late mentor, Kobe Bryant.

“We don’t take those [practice] shots for no reason,” Clarkson recalled Bryant’s words in a recent Jazz feature. “Go out there and shoot them.”

“I got up 8 shots in a matter of like 3 minutes. That’s kind of been my M.O. for real since I’ve been in the league,” he continued.

Playing alongside Bryant in his magical 60-point farewell game with the Los Angeles Lakers, Clarkson actually received his mentor’s final play: an assist for an open dunk to seal a 101-96 comeback win coincidentally against the Jazz.

Far removed from his days as a no-name second-round pick, Clarkson has since ramped up his offensive repertoire, and is averaging 17.2 points off the bench on 47% shooting, 39% from three, and 96% from the free throw line, all career-highs.

With Clarkson consistently backing up the Gobert-Mitchell star duo, the under-the-radar Jazz now have a league-best 14-4 record, ahead of the defending champion Lakers.

Mitchell even recently endorsed Clarkson as an early Sixth Man of the Year candidate, which the latter is gunning for in the near future. (READ: Jazz star Mitchell hypes up Jordan Clarkson for Sixth Man award)

“If we’re winning and I’m performing well, that could be in the spotlight for me,” Clarkson said in a previous interview. “Definitely would love to have that one of these years so I’m definitely going to shoot for that.”

Well, the Jazz are winning, and Clarkson is performing well. So far, so good. – Rappler.com