Keyonte George may want to forget most things about his first 30-point night in the NBA.
“Nobody wants to get blasted like that,” the Utah Jazz rookie said after Monday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. “I know for sure I didn’t want to.”
The Jazz fell 134-120, with George helping lead a late push to make the final score closer than the game had truly been.
But the night was a meaningful milestone for the Jazz’s 20-year-old point guard.
“Tonight is good for his mentality,” Jazz head coach Will Hardy said. “Now he’s seen himself do it. … There’s always a part of your brain that’s not sure if you can actually do it.”
George went 10 for 17 from the floor, including 5 for 9 from deep. He also notched seven assists and three rebounds.
“I feel like I’m in rhythm,” George said. “Now it’s just about getting the team in rhythm and guys back on track. I think we’ll be alright.”
The Jazz’s success will depend heavily on George, too.
“He’s somebody we’re heavily invested in his developing and he’s putting in the work and seeing the results. But I think Keyonte would be the first person to tell you this isn’t guaranteed every night,” Hardy said. “Ultimately we want him to be a guy that is able to play at this level every night.
George has his 30-piece.
Now?
“What he’s hunting is the consistency piece,” Hardy said. “… Now it’s about replicating it.”
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