By Steve Luhm

| The Salt Lake Tribune

Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin didn’t think Earl Watson would play Saturday night.

The Lakers wish Corbin had been right.

	Join the Discussion
	Post a Comment

Watson, coming back from a one-game absence because of a sprained ankle, finished with eight points and 11 assists as Utah rolled to a 96-87 victory at EnergySolutions.

Watson dominated the fourth quarter, when he scored eight points on 3-for-3 shooting and handed out eight assists.

The Jazz scored 11 field goals in the final 12 minutes, meaning Watson had a direct hand in every one.

"He was going good, man," said Corbin. "He was directing our offense very well. He was up on the ball on the defense end. He was challenging them and putting a lot of pressure on them."

Corbin didn’t consider subbing for Watson — not after he sparked a 14-0 run that gave the Jazz an 83-68 lead with 6:18 remaining.

"He was hurt," said Corbin. "If I took him out, I wouldn’t have been able to put him back in, I don’t think. So, while he was going good, I just wanted to use him. He did a tremendous job."

At the morning shootaround, Corbin saw Watson’s ankle and did not expect to him play: "He said, ‘I’ll be all right.’ But his ankle was puffy."

Before tip-off, however, Watson told his coach he was available.

"That’s the way he is," Corbin said. "He’s a true, true professional. He’s a tough guy that wants to be on the floor and help his team win. You saw that tonight.

"I knew he was in pain. He had to be, from what I saw [Saturday] morning. But he fought his way through it. I just have tremendous respect for the guy."

Watson injured his ankle in Wednesday night’s 107-105 loss to the Clippers, when he landed on teammate Enes’ Kanter’s foot.

Watson accompanied the Jazz to Golden State for Thursday’s 119-101 loss to the Warriors, but he left before the game to get treatment in Los Angeles.

"I knew I was going to play," Watson said. "That’s why I went to L.A. to get treatment, so I could play."

Asked if he was surprised how effective he was against the Lakers, Watson shook his head and said: "I wasn’t surprised. I’ve been going to this doctor for 14, 15 years. So I wasn’t surprised at all."

Watson triggered a decisive play in the game.