It had been more than 15 years since a Utah Jazz player had a triple-double in the regular season, until Jordan Clarkson's big night Monday.
JORDAN CLARKSON HAS DONE IT!!
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 2, 2024
One of the longest-running NBA droughts is officially over.
For the first time since February 13th, 2008: a Utah Jazz player has recorded a regular season triple-double. pic.twitter.com/spZ8Z3OUGU
Coming of the bench, Clarkson finished with 20 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in Utah's 127-90 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Head coach Will Hardy was well aware of the dubious streak, keeping Clarkson in long into the fourth quarter as the game turned into a blowout.
He began the quarter with 15 points, eight assists and six rebounds, but the unofficial triple-double watch began when Clarkson grabbed his seventh rebound and got a bucket with just over 10 minutes to go.
Jordan Clarkson triple-double watch: 17 pts, 7 rbs, 8 ast
— Sarah Todd (@NBASarah) January 2, 2024
With 8:15 to go, Clarkson grabbed another board, then delivered assists on back-to-back possessions, while the Jazz began a 13-0 run that put them up by 26 points, and the game out of reach.
Still Hardy kept Clarkson in, who got this ninth rebound with 5:33 left. Then he got stuck on nine, hunting rebounds and annoying his coach who just wanted to sit him.
This is tremendous. Jazz on the verge of history, Will Hardy demanding Jordan Clarkson “go get a rebound so i can sit your ass down. god damnit.”
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 2, 2024
(Context: The Jazz are on the verge of recording their first regular season triple-double in 16 years) pic.twitter.com/obWV8ICM7O
The last Jazz triple-double came in 2008, when Carlos Boozer had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against the Seattle Supersonics.
That's how long it had been since the last triple-double: It happened against a team that doesn't exist anymore.
Ricky Rubio also had a triple-double during the 2018 playoffs, going for 26/11/10 and infuriating opposing point guard Russell Westbrook, who apparently considered triple-doubles his own domain.
It took Clarkson a long time to finally gather his 10th rebound. But after waiting for 15 years for a triple-double, that was just fine for the Jazz.
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