National Basketball Association

Utah Jazz: Sluggish Joe Johnson Drops a Major Doozy

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:51 a.m. ET

Fansided, Ryan Aston/FanSided via Purple and Blues

Despite feeling less than his best, Utah Jazz wing Joe Johnson was in vintage form during the team’s big win in New Orleans. The former All-Star continues to show why he was signed last summer.

If you’re a long-suffering Utah Jazz fan, it’s likely that one of your more vivid memories (unfortunately) is Michael Jordan’s infamous “Flu Game.” For the younglings out there, I’m talking about Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals.

With the series level at two games apiece, the Jazz had a chance to get a leg up in their series with the Chicago Bulls on their home floor. Instead, Jordan dropped 38 points to lead Chicago to the win despite the fact that he was seriously ill.

Although the stakes weren’t as high and it probably won’t erase the ghosts of MJ doing MJ things, Jazz wing Joe Johnson had his own version of the Flu Game on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Maybe “Slightly Sluggish” or “Just Not Feeling It Today” Game is a better way to label it. In any event, Iso Joe was awesome despite the not-so-fresh feeling. In just 23 minutes of play against the Pels, Johnson hit 10-of-14 shots from the floor, including six bombs from behind the arc and scored a game-high 27 points.

It was his biggest night in a Jazz uni since scoring 29 in his debut against the Portland Trail Blazers in October. Not bad for a 35-year-old who wasn’t feeling up to snuff before the contest.

Following the win, Johnson spoke about nights as an NBA player where you’re feeling fine and you almost know things are going to go your way. He also made it clear that this wasn’t that.

From The Salt Lake Tribune —

“I’ve had nights where you come in before a game and you feel good and you feel like it’s going to be a great night,” the 15-year NBA veteran said Wednesday, “but tonight wasn’t one of those nights for me. I don’t know. For whatever reason, I just felt a little sluggish.”

Who knew a little sluggish translated to a whole lot of awesome.

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Johnson has been solid, if unremarkable in his first half-season with the Jazz. A steady hand off the bench for a squad led by young stars. However, occasional nights like this, just as the playoff race begins to heat up — are part of the reason Utah sought him out last summer.

As the Jazz might’ve hoped, Iso Joe looks to be playing his best basketball as the season’s homestretch approaches. In the month of February, Johnson is averaging 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He’s also shooting 55 percent from the field and 65 percent from three-point range.

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With difficult games against the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers looming, the Jazz could use more of the same going forward.

Who knows? Maybe the Jazz will catch a break and Johnson will catch a cold during their next game in Dallas.