Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Contributes 20 points in loss
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Agbaji chipped in 20 points (8-15 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, four assists and three blocks in 36 minutes during Saturday's 121-113 loss to the Kings.
Agbaji started off poorly in the contest, making just one of four shot attempts in the first quarter. He bounced back after that, however, and finished with a strong 8-for-15 shooting line that included a 3-for-7 mark from deep. Agbaji also swatted three shots in the contest to establish a new career-best mark.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Blows up for career-high 27 points
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Agbaji poured in a career-high 27 points (8-14 FG, 6-10 3Pt, 5-5 FT), five rebounds, three assists and one block across 33 minutes in Monday's 128-120 win over the Kings.
While Agbaji had started each of the previous eight games and hit double figures in scoring in the last four, he shot just 39 percent from the field in those contests and offered little in the way of supporting statistics. His outputs in the non-points categories were similarly lacking Monday, but Agbaji combined a spike in usage (22.8 percent) with improved efficiency en route to a new personal best in scoring column. While Agbaji shouldn't be expected to regularly replicate this kind of performance, he'll likely have a clear path to a 30-plus-minute role for at least another game or two while the statuses of Jordan Clarkson (finger), Lauri Markkanen (back) and Collin Sexton (hamstring) remain up in the air. The rookie is still probably best viewed as a streaming option for points and three-pointers, and his upside in those categories will likely take a hit to some degree as soon as Utah gets one of the three injured players back.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Encouraging line in victory
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Agbaji notched 16 points (6-11 FG, 4-8 3Pt), one rebound and three assists over 36 minutes during Saturday's 118-117 victory over the Celtics.
Agbaji put together a sold shooting performance, which was sorely needed amid Jordan Clarkson's (finger) absence. The highly touted Kansas product started the past eight games with mixed results, but Saturday's effort was the best stat line of the group. The slashing sharpshooter depends on success beyond the arc to pad his scoring, and although he's shot only 32.1 percent from downtown during his starting stint, his overall three-point percentage in his rookie season is about four points higher.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Scores 14 points in win
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Agbaji had 14 points (5-10 FG, 4-8 3Pt), two rebounds and one block over 31 minutes during Thursday's 131-124 victory over the Magic.
With Jordan Clarkson (finger) and Collin Sexton (hamstring) sidelined, Agbaji has drawn five straight starts and is averaging 10.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals-plus-blocks in 27.0 minutes per game. It's been an underwhelming rookie campaign for the lottery pick, but it's nice to see him playing well in an expanded role during the stretch run.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Won't return against San Antonio
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Agbaji is out for the remainder of Tuesday's game versus the Spurs due to a right lower leg contusion, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.
Agbaji tallied nine points, one assist, one rebound, one steal and one block in 19 minutes before exiting Tuesday's game. Talen Horton-Tucker and Kris Dunn are candidates to see extended minutes in his absence. Agbaji's status for Friday's matchup with the Thunder is uncertain.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Shines offensively in starting role
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Agbaji produced 17 points (7-12 FG, 3-8 3Pt), one rebound, one assist and one steal over 39 minutes during Wednesday's 117-111 loss to Memphis.
Agbaji got his second start of the season with Lauri Markkanen missing the game due to a knee injury. The rookie produced his second-highest point total of the season, but he provided little support in other areas. The Kansas product has at least shown some potential as a perimeter sniper during his first NBA season, drilling 39.7 percent of his triples on the campaign.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Gets starting nod
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Agbaji is in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus Memphis.
Agbaji will replace Lauri Markkanen (knee) in the starting lineup Wednesday. The rookie forward will make just his second start of the season.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Returns to reserve role
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Agbaji will come off the bench Saturday against the Knicks.
Agbaji got the first start of his career Friday while Jordan Clarkson (illness) was out, but the rookie posted a quiet five points and one rebound in 19 minutes. With Clarkson available and starting Saturday, Agbaji will come off the bench.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Quiet in first start
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Agbaji totaled five points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt) and one rebound in 19 minutes during Friday's 122-116 victory over the Raptors.
The Jazz are not as deep following the trade deadline, as Mike Conley is now with Minnesota. On top of that, Jordan Clarkson sat out with an illness Friday, which allowed Agbaji to earn the first start of his career. Agbaji should get plenty of chances down the stretch, but he's been a little underwhelming on the stat sheet lately, scoring in double digits just once in his last 10 games.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Making first NBA start
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Agbaji is in the starting lineup for Friday's game versus the Raptors.
Agbaji will replace Jordan Clarkson (illness) in the starting five Friday. The rookie forward will start for the first time in his NBA career.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Rare night in double figures
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Agbaji supplied 11 points (4-6 FG, 3-5 3Pt) and two rebounds over 24 minutes during Friday's 115-108 loss to Atlanta.
Agbaji continued his hot shooting from beyond the arc, as he's now drilled five of eight tries from deep over his last two contests. It was unusual to see the Kansas product finish the night in double figures after doing so only three times in his last 14 appearances heading into Friday's clash. The shot volume simply hasn't been there for Agbaji, who is averaging 3.8 field-goal attempts in 15 games since the turn of the calendar to 2023.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Adds 13 points Wednesday
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Agbaji managed 13 points (5-10 FG, 3-8 3Pt), five assists, four rebounds and one block during Wednesday's win over the Blue.
This was Agbaji's first appearance with the Stars in almost a week, and the guard tallied double figures offensively for a sixth time in nine appearances. The Kansas product is averaging 13.1 points in the G League.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Recalled to Jazz
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The Jazz recalled Agbaji from the Salt Lake City Stars of the G League on Friday.
Agbaji has only appeared in nine games for the Jazz this season. However, the rookie guard hasn't played more than six minutes since Oct. 31. Agbaji could be in store for extended minutes with Collin Sexton (hamstring) out for at least a week.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Recalled by Jazz
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The Jazz recalled Agbaji from the G League on Wednesday.
Agbaji has appeared in six games for the Jazz this season, notching 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds over 11.2 minutes per game. However, he's unlikely to see much run this time around with most of the roster healthy.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Adds 20 points Monday
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Agbaji amassed 20 points (8-19 FG, 4-13 3Pt), three rebounds and two steals during Monday's loss to Santa Cruz.
Although he posted a rough shooting performance from three, Agbaji reached the 20-point mark thanks to a solid outing from inside the arc. He's averaging 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds over 11.1 minutes per game.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Scores seven points in 17 minutes
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Agbaji accumulated seven points (2-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-5 FT), four rebounds and one assist across 18 minutes during Saturday's 124-123 win over the Grizzlies.
Agbaji played meaningful minutes for the second straight game, although it did come with Mike Conley (rest) on the sideline. Based on what we saw prior to this, he could struggle to be an every-night part of the rotation, at least to begin the season.
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Jazz's Ochai Agbaji: Traded to Jazz
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Agbaji was traded to Utah on Friday as part of the package for Donovan Mitchell, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports.
Agbaji will be sent to Utah along with Lauri Markkanen, Colin Sexton, three unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps. The 2022 No. 14 pick will be a nice three-and-D player for the Jazz, who have struggled with their perimeter defense in recent years. Agbaji will be a main part of the young core the Jazz are looking to rebuild with after trading away Rudy Gobert and Mitchell.
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Cavaliers' Ochai Agbaji: Drafted No. 14 by Cleveland
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Agbaji was selected by the Cavaliers with the 14th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Agbaji averaged 18.8 points and 5.1 rebounds as a senior for Kansas en route to a 2022 National Championship. Joining a Cleveland team anchored by Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen with Darius Garland as the star, Agbaji settles into an important role as a three-point shooter and defender. He connected on 40.9 percent of his threes on 6.5 attempts per game with the Jayhawks in 2021-22.
