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Utah Jazz: Top 10 moments from 2017-18 NBA season

BySimon Smith|
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz reacts during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz reacts during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
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(Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

Following an unexpected postseason run, here’s a look back at the top 10 moments for the Utah Jazz from the 2017-18 NBA season.

The 2017-18 NBA season was meant to represent an adjustment period for the Utah Jazz.

Following the loss of All-Star Gordon Hayward to free agency, and with starting point guard George Hill following suit, the general expectation was for the Jazz to undergo some growing gains as they looked to build the foundations of a new looking roster.

However, very few could foresee just how quickly the team would adjust without their marquee player of recent years. In compiling a 48-34 record, the Jazz completely obliterated their preseason forecast and wound up finishing fifth in the Western Conference standings.

Clearly, the incredible play of rookie Donovan Mitchell was something the Jazz couldn’t have seen coming. Selected 13th overall following a draft-day deal with the Denver Nuggets, Mitchell had one of the more stunning rookie campaigns in recent memory.

In 79 games, he averaged 20.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals in 33.7 minutes per game. Improving seemingly with every passing day, Mitchell’s limitless upside already has Jazz fans excited.

In addition, center Rudy Gobert made invaluable contributions to the team when healthy. While he missed 26 games due to injury, Gobert’s imprint on the team was incredible, averaging 13.5 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game while being a +343 when on the floor.

Most notably, the Jazz were 7.3 points per 100 possessions better off defensively with Gobert on the floor. It therefore came as no surprise that Gobert was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team, with his 97.7 defensive rating the best return among all centers in the league to average at least 30 minutes per game.

https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/999350572686819328

With a host of other solid contributors, the Jazz managed to record a momentous first round playoff win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, before falling to the No. 1 seeded Houston Rockets in the conference semifinals.

Following a season of incredible growth and excitement, here’s a look back at the top 10 moments for the Jazz in 2017-18.

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