One of the more surprising showouts of the Utah Jazz‘s 2024-25 season has been the emergence of third-year wing Johnny Juzang. The UCLA product has shown out as a strong option on the perimeter and could be a key cog in Utah’s rebuild for years to come.

Recently, the 22-year-old suffered from a hand fracture that kept him out of the Jazz’s most recent contest vs. the Phoenix Suns. Yet, don’t expect Juzang to be out of action for long.

According to Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune, the Jazz see Juzang being back in the lineup sooner rather than later, as long.

“Jazz say they don’t anticipate Johnny Juzang to be out super long with his hand fracture injury: once the inflammation subsides, they ‘anticipate he will be able to play with the fracture as pain tolerates.”

– Andy Larsen, Salt Lake Tribune

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In 32 games this season, Juzang has averaged 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists on 41.8% from the field and an impressive 40.0% from three. With the 23-year-old in the lineup, it provides much-improved spacing and versatility for this Jazz offense– one that’s ranked 19th in the NBA this season in offensive rating.

Juzang’s next opportunity to suit up lies closely ahead on Sunday with their battle vs. the Brooklyn Nets, though with the status of his hand fracture clouding his availability, it could be a long shot to see him back to action so quickly. However, the recent statement from Utah provides some optimism about seeing him return this coming week.

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Ian Martinez fell to the ground.

The Spectrum crowd leaped to its feet.

And the basketball danced for a while.

The front of the rim. The back of the rim, then the top of the backboard. The edge of the rim, back iron, glass and iron again.

Then, finally, it fell through the net.

Down two late against the Boise State Broncos, Martinez hit a 3-pointer and was fouled with 7.3 seconds to play. The senior completed the four-point play to give USU an 81-79 win on Saturday night.

“I have no words, it’s crazy,” Martinez said. “First of all, all the glory to God and to my teammates who have been keeping me up and confident. I haven’t been shooting the ball so great lately, so just coming in today and being able to make some shots to help the team win makes me really happy.

“Yeah, that last shot was crazy.”

Utah State’s run to this point has been pretty crazy, too.

The Aggies are on their third coach in as many years. But newcomer Jerrod Calhoun has the Aggies at No. 25 in the Associate Press poll and sitting at 16-1.

Martinez scored 18 points and helped fuel another Utah State come-from-behind victory. The Broncos went on a 9-0 run to start the second half and USU trailed by 13 at one point in the period.

Utah State battled back with the 3-ball. The Aggies made 11 of their 21 attempts on the night — going 7 of 8 from deep after intermission, including Martinez’s game-winner.

“I think it’s just what Utah State does,” Martinez said. “Even taking us back to last year, a lot of times toward the end when the game was really close, we were able to close out the game. It doesn’t matter who’s coaching the team or who’s playing, I feel like it’s just part of the culture. We’re just tough and we’re going to do whatever it takes to win the game.”

Deyton Albury (14), Drake Allen (13), Dexter Akanno (12) and Mason Falslev (10) also scored in double figures for USU.

“That’s as good of a college basketball game as you’ll find. Play after play, multiple guys,” Calhoun said. “Everybody’s going to talk about Ian’s shot, but the pass by Drake and the screen by KT (Karson Templin). Deyton Albury had big minutes, Dexter Akanno had big minutes, and Mason. This is a team in every sense, and it’s fun to be a part of. We’re going to look back on this as one of those really big moments inside the Spectrum.”

Forward Tyson Degenhart led Boise State with 22 points.

The Aggies are now 6-0 in Mountain West Conference play. Utah State next heads to Las Vegas to take on UNLV on Wednesday night.

SALT LAKE CITY — Hundreds of protesters rallied Saturday at the Utah state capitol, who want more done to protect Utah’s public lands. They hope to get the attention of state leaders to preserve two of Utah’s national monuments.

Taking over the steps of the state capitol, hundreds of protesters, signs in hand, rallied to protect Utah’s public lands.

“1, 2, 3, let the land be!” the crowd chanted.

Rally organizers vowed not to sit idly by as the tide may be turning for parts of those lands’ preservation.

“Federal lands in Utah are under attack, by the governor, by the legislature, and this is a chance for people to have their voices heard,” said Steve Bloch, Legal Director of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.

At issue: Utah’s lawsuit to gain more state control of public lands, and the size of Utah’s Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. During the first term of President-elect Donald Trump, he reduced the size of the monuments by 85%, something President Joe Biden reversed in 2021. With Trump returning to office, protesters don’t want the monuments to shrink again.

“I think it’s the reason we’re all here, because we’re all deeply concerned,” said protester Meg Randle.

“If we don’t put some energy behind protecting some of the wild areas then we’re going to lose them and it’s going to be very difficult to get them back,” said protester Bernie Lasalle.

The protesters were hoping state leaders get the message by rallying together to make their voices loud and clear.

“We are going to do whatever it takes,” organizers said.

Organizers said Saturday’s rally was just the beginning, and they anticipate Utah won’t be the only state rallying in defense of public lands.