This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Joel Bolomboy didn't know when his next opportunity at legitimate NBA minutes was going to come. But when it did, he was ready to take advantage.
Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder turned to the rookie forward from Weber State in Saturday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and the response was a good one. He scored eight points on 4-of-7 shooting, finishing at the rim and providing a presence on the interior.
Snyder turned to Bolomboy and went deep into his bench because his starters were struggling. Bolomboy, along with Trey Lyles and Dante Exum, turned a sizable deficit into a close game.
"I just wanted to go in and play well when my name was called," Bolomboy said. "I think having gotten a taste of it before has helped me. I knew what spots to be in, and I was able to just play now that I know the system a little better."
The year has been a learning experience for Bolomboy, an athletic power forward. The Jazz have consistently rotated him between the main club and the D-League Salt Lake City Stars, in order to give him playing time and experience.
Saturday's eight points and 15 minutes both represent career highs. It was the first time he's entered a game since Dec. 20, in a road loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Regular playing time probably isn't in the cards for Bolomboy. After all, Derrick Favors, Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw and Trey Lyles are ahead of him in the power forward rotation. But Bolomboy, if nothing else, showcased his improvement over the course of the season.
"Being with the Stars has helped me a lot," Bolomboy said. "It's been great for my development."
Missing in action
The Jazz were without Favors, their starting power forward, Monday night. He was ruled out with a bone contusion in his left knee and will be re-evaluated later this week, the Jazz said.
Utah did get Rudy Gobert back. The starting center missed the loss to Oklahoma City with leg soreness.
Points heavy
Chris Paul and JJ Redick scored 30 combined points against the Jazz in Monday's first half. Paul had 18 on 6-of-10 shooting, while Redick scored 12 on a variety of jumpers.