“Keyonte George lifts Jazz past Kings”

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz moved to 4-1 in the preseason after defeating the Sacramento Kings 117-114 behind a great performance from Keyonte George.

The guard led the Jazz with 24 points, while Domantas Sabonis led all scorers with 29 points.

Related: Taylor Hendricks throws down monster dunk against the Kings

Keyonte George's newfound efficiency

George missed Saturday's loss in San Antonio with a knee injury, but returned against the Kings and had 24 points, five assists and three rebounds in 30 minutes.

More importantly, the guard was efficient, scoring a team-high 24 points on just 14 field goal attempts, a growing trend in the preseason.

Entering the night, George shot 52 percent from the floor and 53 percent from three, a significant improvement over his 39/33 shooting as a rookie.

Strong trips from @utahjazz Duo Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen, how they get it #NBAPreseason win!

George: 24 PTS, 5 AST, 3 3pm
Markkanen: 21 PTS, 4 REB, 3 3pm pic.twitter.com/JCALxv67gH

– NBA (@NBA) October 16, 2024

“He's a feel player, he can really get into the mood and that's why he can get really hot,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said of George. “But we’re trying to help him develop some habits for a little bit more consistency.”

While George's three-point shooting has taken a big leap, his finishing inside the paint has also improved.

The second-year guard is 8-12 on two-point shots in the preseason after shooting 46 percent from inside the arc last season.

“The game slowed down a lot for me,” George said. “So I feel a lot more comfortable with every game.”

The 20-year-old is also enjoying success at the free throw line, where he is 14-16 overall in the preseason.

George knocked down all seven of his attempts against Sacramento, including two free throws in the final seconds of the game to rebuild the Jazz's three-point lead.

“The day-to-day work and the little things that can sometimes get repetitive, he does it all with the same energy every day,” Hardy said, “so it’s nice to see that work paying off.”

What will Isaiah Collier miss with a hamstring injury?

Rookie Isaiah Collier missed Tuesday's game against the Kings with a hamstring strain, an injury that will keep him out until at least the start of the regular season.

It's a tough blow for the guard, who has proven his strengths as a playmaker but needs as many opportunities as possible to fully develop his abilities.

“Games are so different from training because the intensity is obviously always higher in a game,” Hardy said. “And you see a variety of different opponents.”

Even though he won't be on the court, the Jazz still have a plan to help him prepare for his rookie season.

Related: Collier misses rest of preseason with hamstring injury

“This is a good opportunity to take a step back after a few weeks in the middle and look at it from the outside a little bit,” Hardy added.

Collier had been the Jazz's preferred backup point guard through the first four preseason games, but when the rookie was sidelined, the team turned to veteran Patty Mills.

balla* pat ⛹️ pic.twitter.com/FhXl3zAoyg

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 16, 2024

Mills finished his Jazz debut with five points and two rebounds in 18 minutes.

While Collier recovers from his injury, the Jazz plan to have the first-year senior study the game from the sidelines and in the film room.

“We'll try to do our best and he'll do his best to make the most of this time and hopefully it won't be long before he doesn't have to be on the field anymore,” Hardy said.

Jazz Next broadcast

The Jazz will travel to Portland to conclude their preseason against the Trail Blazers on Friday at 8:00 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+ and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.

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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and co-host of Jake and Ben from 10pm to 12am with Jake Scott 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.

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