The Jazz viewed Darrin Peterson as a future franchise player when they selected him with the second pick in this year’s draft, but they didn’t expect him to be at that position so soon, writes Shreyas Ladda of The Salt Lake Tribune. Lauri Markkanen‘s arm fractures and Jaren Jackson Jr‘s torn MCL prompting the team to ask Peterson to take on more responsibility during his first month in the NBA.
The 19-year-old guard has been a bright spot in a difficult season for Utah, starting all 13 games he’s played in and averaging 17.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 31.2 minutes per night. He tied five consecutive games with 20 points, but coach Will Hardy said there are many areas where he can improve.
“We’re still a long way from putting a stamp on DP that it’s arrived, or that it’s something we should look forward to every night.” Hardy said after Peterson scored 25 points in Tuesday’s loss to Miami. “He’s handling himself very, very well. I think the last game gives you a lot of, like, glimpses of what could be. But we have to stay on the fundamental parts of it to make sure we’re building the habits right.”
Peterson had to leave Friday’s game at Houston in the last minute because of soreness in his left knee, but it’s not considered a long-term problem, Ladd adds a separate story. Peterson is not listed on the injury report for Sunday’s contest against San Antonio.
“I’m fine. Just need to shoot, feel good.” Peterson said today. “The game is tomorrow. It bothered me a little bit, but I’m fine.”
There are more from the Northwest Division:
- Mark of the chosen one in front Luka Doncic followed in the 2018 draft Marvin Bagley III throughout his NBA career, but he’s learned to live with it, he said Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. Bagley was an effective backup big man in his first season with the Nuggetsaveraging 17 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per 36 minutes on 60% shooting. “I don’t care” Bagley said of his connection with Doncic. “I mean, a lot of times people try to compare and contrast you as players, things that you don’t even think about. So I think a lot of that comes from other people. As for me, I’m not worried about that. I’m just doing what I have to do to get better and I’m worried about my path, my process of continuing to grow as a player. That’s all I’m worried about.”
- Thunder security guard Nikola Tema made his season debut Friday night after recovering from the offseason back surgerytrans Justin Martinez of Oklahoman. Topeka’s career was derailed by injuries, but Coach Mark Dyno spoke before the game about what he brings to the team. “Amidst all this other stuff that focuses on his character as a person and a worker, the guy can really play.” Dyno said. “He’s got a great feel for the game. He’s got a high IQ. He gets guys hit. Defensively, he’s got size and anticipation skills. So we’re really excited to get him.”
- The Timberwolves were successful without Anthony Edwards because they haven’t changed their personality Sarah Todd of The Star-Tribune states in the story for subscribers only. coach Chris Finch kept his players in their usual roles after Edwards survived arthroscopic procedure on the right knee. “Everyone has an opportunity to step up their role” said Finch. “… But we didn’t necessarily want everyone to just come up and try to fill the void in the points.”
