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Jazz's Walter Clayton: Makes statement in blowout loss
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Clayton accumulated 15 points (5-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), two rebounds, seven assists and one steal across 31 minutes during Thursday's 144-122 loss to the Mavericks.
After not playing at all in Cleveland on Jan. 12, Clayton has been back in the rotation the past two games and was excellent in Thursday's loss. His elevated minutes were likely due to the blowout nature of the contest, but the rookie still scored at least 15 points for only the fourth time this season and fell two dimes shy of his career high. However, when Lauri Markkanen (illness) returns to action, there'll be less usage to go around in Utah.
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Jazz's Walter Clayton: Drops out of rotation Monday
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Clayton (coach's decision) went unused off the bench Monday in the Jazz's 123-112 win over the Cavaliers.
Though he appeared in each of Utah's previous 22 games and saw double-digit minutes in each of the last eight contests, Clayton was dropped from the 10-man rotation Monday along with Taylor Hendricks while head coach Will Hardy opened up spots for veterans Svi Mykhailiuk and Kevin Love following a 55-point loss to the Hornets on Saturday. Given that Mykhailiuk and Love are both on expiring contracts and don't appear to be part of the non-contending Jazz's long-term plans, Clayton's absence from the rotation could very well wind up being short-lived. Before not playing Monday, the rookie first-round pick had been faring well of late as an offensive creator on the second unit, averaging 10.3 points and 3.2 assists against 1.0 turnovers in 23.0 minutes over six January games while shooting 44.1 percent from downtown.
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Jazz's Walter Clayton: Pops for 15 points
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Clayton produced 15 points (5-11 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, four assists and one block in 27 minutes during Wednesday's 129-125 overtime loss to Oklahoma City.
Clayton tallied double digits for the first time in the past five games, playing an expanded role in the overtime loss. With Jusuf Nurkic fouling out, it was Clayton who closed the game, allowing him to improve on his recent production. With that said, his shot-making down the stretch left a lot to be desired, contributing to the end result. At this stage, Clayton should be viewed as a potential stash candidate, if and when Utah opts to lean into its youth.
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Jazz's Walter Clayton: Sees 21 minutes in loss
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Clayton closed Tuesday's 129-119 loss to the Celtics with seven points (3-7 FG, 1-4 3Pt), one assist and one block over 21 minutes.
Clayton logged 20-plus minutes for a second straight game with Ace Bailey (hip) sidelined, though the former was unable to replicate his 17-point performance from Saturday's win over the Spurs. Clayton has scored in double figures in two of his last five appearances, during which he has averaged 8.0 points, 2.6 assists and 1.2 rebounds across 16.8 minutes per tilt.
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Jazz's Walter Clayton: Limited role continues
Rotowire
Clayton amassed six points (2-7 FG, 2-6 3Pt), two rebounds, four assists and one steal over 17 minutes during Monday's 135-112 loss to the Nuggets.
Clayton played more than 15 minutes, albeit barely, for the first time in the past five games. It's been an underwhelming rookie season for Clayton, averaging 6.1 points and 3.3 assists in 16.1 minutes per game. The assumed trajectory in Utah could ultimately lead to Clayton having a sizeable role at some point. However, that doesn't appear as though it is going to happen any time soon.
Utah assigned Clayton to the G League's Salt Lake City Stars on Monday.
Clayton produced 20 points (8-12 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-3 FT), two rebounds and nine assists across 29 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 131-101 loss to the Thunder in what was arguably the best game of his NBA career. The Jazz are off until Friday, however, so this move may just be the franchise trying to maximize his reps.
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Jazz's Walter Clayton: Career-best numbers in loss
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Clayton totaled 20 points (8-12 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-3 FT), two rebounds and nine assists across 29 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 131-101 loss to the Thunder.
The rookie guard very nearly came away with his first career double-double, instead setting new career highs in points and assists. Clayton, the 18th overall pick in the 2025 Draft, has begun to see a more consistent role as part of the second unit, and over the last five games, he's averaging 12.0 points, 5.4 assists, 2.6 boards and 1.4 threes in 22.2 minutes a contest while shooting 52.4 percent from the floor.
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Jazz's Walter Clayton: Muted numbers in loss
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Clayton ended with eight points (3-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, five assists and one steal across 18 minutes during Sunday's 129-101 loss to the Rockets.
Clayton went scoreless in his last two outings, so it was encouraging to see him bounce back with a productive stat line, even though it came due to the blowout aspect of the game. The rookie was just recalled from the Jazz's G League team in Salt Lake City, and another trip may be imminent due to Utah's depth at the guard position.
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Jazz's Walter Clayton: Recalled to parent club
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The Jazz recalled Clayton from the G League's Salt Lake City Stars on Sunday.
Clayton was assigned to the Stars on Saturday and appeared in a G League contest before quickly rejoining the NBA club Sunday. The rookie has played in 12 regular-season games for the Jazz this season, averaging 5.8 points, 3.2 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per contest.
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Jazz's Walter Clayton: Headed to G League
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The Jazz assigned Clayton to the G League's Salt Lake City Stars on Saturday.
The rookie first-rounder was a healthy DNP in the three games prior to Friday's 144-112 loss to the Thunder, when he posted two points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt), three assists, one steal and three turnovers over 12 minutes. He hasn't played in the G League this season, but the rookie first-rounder will be available for the City Stars in Saturday's contest against the Stockton Kings.
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Jazz's Walter Clayton: Swats two shots
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Clayton closed Monday's 120-113 loss to the Timberwolves with six points (2-8 FG, 2-5 3Pt), three rebounds, two assists and two blocks across 18 minutes.
Isaiah Collier made his second appearance of the season and logged 16 minutes, but it seems like the Jazz are open to using multiple point guards, which is also good news for Keyonte George, who continues to break out. Clayton does have solid per-minute upside, but right now his limited workloads are making him more of a deep-league fantasy asset.
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Jazz's Walter Clayton: Quiet outing in 19 minutes
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Clayton logged four points (1-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds and two assists over 19 minutes during Sunday's 126-103 loss to the Hornets.
Keyonte George continues to break out for the Jazz, and he's currently leaving Clayton in the dust to pick up the scraps. Clayton does have serious upside, but his role could be squeezed shortly with Isaiah Collier (hamstring) expected to return any day now.
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Jazz's Walter Clayton: Excels in NBA debut
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Clayton supplied 10 points (4-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, five assists and two steals across 18 minutes during Wednesday's 129-108 victory over the Clippers.
Isaiah Collier continues to be sidelined by a hamstring issue, allowing Clayton to soak up some backup point guard reps to open his NBA career. Clayton was an obvious standout for the Jazz during the preseason and teased some serious upside on Opening Night. Given the draft capital Utah invested in Clayton, he's likely to get plenty of chances to impress with the team in the early stages of a rebuild.
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Jazz's Walter Clayton: Hands out seven dimes
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Clayton produced six points (1-7 FG, 1-4 3pt, 5-5 FT), seven assists, five rebounds and three steals in 29 minutes of Monday's 114-101 preseason win over the Jazz.
Clayton shot the ball poorly Monday, but the rest of his game popped once again. Through three exhibitions, the rookie guard holds averages of 11.7 points, 5.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 three-pointers in 27.8 minutes per contest. With Isaiah Collier (hamstring) still on the shelf, Clayton may get run on Opening Night.
Clayton produced 20 points (6-12 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 6-6 FT), five rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in 34 minutes of Friday's 134-130 preseason loss to the Spurs.
Keyonte George has started both preseason games at point guard so far and has fared well, while Isaiah Collier (hamstring) has been sidelined by a hamstring issue. The No. 18 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Clayton has looked sharp in the preseason and appears ready to push both George and Collier for minutes right out of the gate. This is an intriguing position battle to watch.
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Jazz's Walter Clayton: Participating in practice
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Clayton (hamstring) is practicing ahead of Wednesday's preseason game against the Rockets, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Clayton missed some time during Summer League due to left hamstring soreness. However, he appears to be healthy ahead of the preseason.
Clayton (hamstring) will not play in Friday's Summer League game against the Bulls, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Clayton won't play for a fourth consecutive contest due to hamstring soreness. The Jazz continue to exercise caution with their key players in these exhibitions.
