The Utah Jazz (8-8) will take on the Orlando Magic (10-8) tonight at Vivint Smart Home Arena at 7:00 PM without Rudy Gobert, who is out indefinitely with a Grade II MCL sprain in his left knee. Gobert suffered the injury Wednesday during practice. One bit of good news is that Gobert will not have to undergo surgery on his knee.
Here is Utah Jazz Head Coach Quin Snyder with the media today after shoot around:
Jeff Withey will definitely get more playing time in Gobert’s absence. He has had some good moments this season in his limited playing time. The loss of Gobert will test the Jazz defensively, he averaged 10.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks a game before the injury. Derrick Favors will now be counted on more defensively, which he will be capable of doing. Favors does lead the team in steals at 2.0 steals per game and is second behind Gobert at 8.6 boards a game.
Here is Derrick Favors with the media following shoot around today:
Trevor Booker is another player that will see more playing time do to Gobert going down. Booker talked with the media following shoot around. Here is that audio:
The Jazz come into the game winners of 2 of their last 3 after falling on Monday to the Golden State Warriors 106-103. The Orlando Magic come into the game on a 4-game winning streak with wins against Minnesota, Boston, Milwaukee, and New York in that stretch. The Orlando Magic defeated the Utah Jazz on November 13 102-93. Defense has been the key for the Magic during their winning streak. The Magic are allowing 91.3 points and 39.4 percent shooting in the last four games after giving up an average of 105.8 points in dropping three of the previous four.
The media also caught up with Gordon Hayward after shoot around. Here is that audio:
