The Utah Jazz had to do without the services of veteran forward Derrick Favors for the most part of Friday night's 128-124 victory against the Washington Wizards. The 27-year-old left the game after just nine minutes of action, and was unable to return due to back spasms.
Derrick Favors (back spasms) will not return. Raul Neto (lip laceration and concussion-like symptoms) will also not return.
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 30, 2019
Favors finished with just six points (on 3-of-3 shooting), three rebounds, and nothing else.
Thankfully, the Jazz have a very deep bench, and despite Favors checking out early (along with Raul Neto who was only able to log seven minutes off the bench), Utah were still able to come out on top against a struggling Wizards side.
Donovan Mitchell led the charge for the Jazz, scoring a game-high 35 points (on 13-of-23 from the floor), three three-pointers, five rebounds, five assists, and a block.
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year winner Rudy Gobert (13 points, 17 rebounds, three blocks), Joe Ingles (18 points, three three-pointers, 10 assists), and Ricky Rubio (17 points, three assists, three steals) all also showed up for the Jazz, as they were able to hold off Bradley Beal (34 points, six assists) and company in this one.
The victory lifted Utah to one game ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers for the fifth spot in the West. The Houston Rockets are currently sitting on the fourth seed, but are just two games in front of the Jazz, so the final couple of weeks of the regular season will be crucial for Utah in determining their final position entering the playoffs.
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