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Jazz guard Alec Burks made the first start of his NBA career Friday night, with mixed results.
Opening at point guard against Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs, Burks finished with 12 points and four assists.
Trying to guard Parker, however, Burks got into second-half foul trouble and the Spurs rallied for a 91-82 victory at EnergySolutions Arena.
Before facing the Spurs, Burks had played in 132 games in the NBA. With the Jazz's point guard position still in a state of flux, coach Tyrone Corbin decided to open with him in the important matchup against Parker.
"I thought he had a good first half," said Corbin. "He did a good job. ... [But] he ran out of gas a little. All the guys [did]."
Asked about starting, Burks said, "It felt the same out there on the court. No big deal. Just thankful for the opportunity."
The Jazz's point guard position has undergone a transformation this week.
Veteran Jamaal Tinsley was waived after Denver's 100-81 win on Monday night. Utah signed Diante Garrett on Wednesday afternoon and he played a pivotal role behind starter John Lucas in that night's 111-105 victory over New Orleans.
Corbin went with Burks against the Spurs, however, and brought Garrett off the bench as the No. 1 backup.
Burks quarterbacked the Jazz to one of their best opening quarters of the season. Utah shot 52 percent and built a 29-16 lead.
Parker had six points and only one assist, but Burks picked up his first foul with 3:41 left.
What was he trying to do against Parker?
"Be aggressive," Burks said. "... You have to play him as hard and the best as you can."
In the opening minutes of the second half, Burks banked in a jump shot, fed Gordon Hayward for a dunk and assisted on a basket by Derrick Favors.
Unfortunately for the Jazz, Burks also picked up two quick fouls and went to the bench with four with 7:42 left in the third quarter.
"Man, foul trouble trying to guard a great player." Burks said. "But things happen and you have to adjust to it."
From there, San Antonio pulled within 67-60 by the end of the quarter and overtook the Jazz in the fourth.
"You have to hand it to them," Burks said. "They are a great team. They've won championships in the past. We made some mistakes and they capitalized on them."
Changing of point guard
• The Jazz's Alec Burks makes the first start of his career in Friday night's 91-82 loss to San Antonio.
• Burks finishes with 12 points and four assists in 29 minutes.