SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Jordan Clarkson scored a career-high 45 points to overcome the absence of Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley and help the Utah Jazz beat the Sacramento Kings 134-125 on Saturday night.
Clarkson set a franchise record for points as a reserve with the first 40-point game for the Jazz since he had 41 last season on May 10 against Golden State. He has four games with more than 40 points off the bench.
Clarkson made seven 3s and made all eight shots from inside the arc and all eight free throws to help Utah rebound from a loss Friday night at San Antonio.
Clarkson’s three free throws gave the Jazz their largest lead at 111-95, but the Kings didn’t fade away as they have so often this season.
Davion Mitchell made a layup to cap an 11-0 run for Sacramento and draw the Kings to 111-106, but they couldn’t stop Clarkson and Donovan Mitchell down the stretch and get any closer.
Bojan Bogdanovic scored 26 points for Utah, and Mitchell had 25. They have won nine straight at…