This archive report was first published on 13 January 2020.
Utah Jazz players delivered a strong performance on Sunday, securing their ninth consecutive win against the Washington Wizards with a score of 127-116.
Bojan Bogdanovic led the team with 31 points, while Frenchman Rudy Gobert contributed 21 points and 14 rebounds. The Jazz had six players in double figures, with Jordan Clarkson adding 23 points off the bench and Joe Ingles chipping in 20.
The team's defense tightened up in the second half, allowing them to pull ahead in the final quarter. Gobert made three dunks over a two-minute stretch, securing the win for the Jazz.
Washington's Bradley Beal scored 25 points, but it was not enough to overcome the Jazz's strong performance. The Wizards lost for the second time in five games, with Beal returning to the lineup after missing several games due to injuries.
Elsewhere, Kyrie Irving made a successful return to the court, scoring 21 points in his first game in two months to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a 108-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Irving, who had been missing 26 games with a right shoulder problem, made 10 of 11 shots in his first appearance since November 14. He attributed his success to diligent practice, saying, "I just work on my game diligently. You have nights like this coming back. I just love the game, I missed it so much."
Irving's return marked a turning point for the Nets, who led by as many as 39 points and won their second straight game following a seven-game losing skid.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks stormed back from a 14-point deficit in the second half to beat the Miami Heat 124-121, with Taj Gibson making a clutch free throw with 98 seconds left to give New York the lead.
