Jazz Eye Revenge Against Timberwolves After Stunning January Collapse

The Utah Jazz will be looking to right a wrong on Friday night when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves in Salt Lake City. Their last meeting on Jan. 30 was nothing short of bizarre—a game where Utah jumped out to a 15-point lead only to unravel and lose by 25. The Timberwolves completely flipped the script in the third quarter, outscoring the Jazz 44-22 in a dominant stretch that sealed the game.

Now, with a chance to redeem themselves, the Jazz will need to shake off their latest frustrating loss, a 127-106 defeat at the hands of the Sacramento Kings. And for Jordan Clarkson, who had an uncharacteristically poor shooting night against Sacramento, Friday presents an opportunity for redemption.

Clarkson and the Jazz Shake Off a Strange Night

Jordan Clarkson is known for his scoring ability, but Wednesday night was an anomaly. The veteran guard missed his first 13 shots and finished with just two points on a dismal 1-of-14 shooting performance. It was a rare off-night that had both him and his coach searching for explanations.

“There are a couple of games usually every season that are just kind of weird,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “You can’t quite put your finger on it.”

Clarkson tried to laugh off his shooting woes, recalling how his teammates urged him to keep firing.

“My teammates were like, ‘Keep shooting, keep shooting,’ ” Clarkson said. “I was like, ‘Bruh.’ “

Despite his struggles, the Jazz had a bright spot in center Walker Kessler, who delivered a stellar performance, scoring 25 points on a perfect 10-for-10 shooting while grabbing 14 rebounds and adding five assists. His dominance in the paint was overshadowed by the team’s defensive lapses and Clarkson’s rough night.

Hardy didn’t seem concerned about Clarkson’s slump.

“I don’t know—people get struck by lightning, too,” Hardy joked. “I’ve never seen that in my life. I don’t think we’ll ever see it again.”

But while Clarkson’s poor outing was an isolated incident, the Jazz will need to address their inconsistency if they hope to avoid another second-half collapse against the Timberwolves.

Minnesota Comes to Utah After Tough Loss to Lakers

The Timberwolves enter Friday’s game in the middle of a four-game road trip, having just fallen to the Los Angeles Lakers 111-102 on Thursday night. The loss exposed a few vulnerabilities, including a sluggish start that saw them trailing 33-17 after the first quarter.

Terrence Shannon Jr. led the team with 25 points, but Minnesota struggled to contain the Lakers’ aggressive attack, sending them to the free-throw line 46 times. With the quick turnaround and another game at altitude, fatigue could play a role for the Timberwolves.

In their previous matchup, Minnesota’s energy after halftime was the deciding factor. Coach Chris Finch credited his team’s execution, particularly on defense, for the dramatic turnaround.

“Our energy was there, and we executed at a high level,” Finch said after their January win. “That third quarter was the difference—our defense turned into offense.”

If the Jazz want to flip the script, they’ll need to match Minnesota’s intensity for a full four quarters, something they failed to do in their previous meeting.

Joe Ingles Returns to Utah—Again

One of the most memorable moments from the January game wasn’t a big shot or a key defensive stop—it was the return of a fan favorite. Joe Ingles, who played eight seasons in Utah and became a beloved figure, was met with roaring applause when he checked in during the fourth quarter.

Ingles is one of several former Jazz players now suiting up for Minnesota, along with Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Clarkson acknowledged just how much Ingles still means to Jazz fans.

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“That’s fire. I mean, he’s a legend,” Clarkson said. “All the guys, they come back and feel a lot of love, especially from the home crowd that we’ve got here. We’ve got the best fans, so I didn’t expect anything less.”

While the Jazz faithful will always show love for their former stars, once the game tips off, the focus will be on revenge.

Key Factors for Friday’s Rematch

1. Can Clarkson Bounce Back? – One rough shooting night won’t define Clarkson, but the Jazz will need him to return to form. If he struggles again, Utah may have a hard time keeping pace.
2. Kessler’s Impact – Walker Kessler was dominant against Sacramento, and his presence in the paint will be critical against a Timberwolves team that thrives on physical play.
3. Timberwolves’ Fatigue Factor – Minnesota is coming off a hard-fought game in Los Angeles. If Utah can push the pace early, they might be able to take advantage of a tired opponent.
4. Defensive Adjustments – The Jazz were torched in the third quarter last time they played Minnesota. Will they be able to hold their ground defensively this time?
5. Home-Court Energy – The Jazz crowd will undoubtedly be loud, especially with Ingles back in the building. Can Utah harness that energy and avoid another second-half collapse?

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Final Thoughts

The Jazz have been waiting for this rematch, and they’ll need to bring their best effort to prevent another lopsided loss. With Minnesota coming off a tough back-to-back, Utah has a prime opportunity to strike early and control the tempo.

Clarkson’s shooting struggles will be something to watch, but if he regains his rhythm and Kessler continues his dominant play, the Jazz could very well walk away with a much-needed win.

With just three meetings left between these teams this season, Friday night’s clash could set the tone for what’s to come.