Yardbarker
x
Jazz's Rudy Gobert, Rudy Gay clear health and safety protocols
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jazz C Rudy Gobert, F Rudy Gay clear health and safety protocols

The Utah Jazz are getting back their All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year center, as well as a 16-year NBA veteran to fill key minutes off the bench.

Utah (28-14) has gone 1-4 in the five games that Gobert has missed and has seen the red-hot Memphis Grizzlies (30-14) overtake them for third place in the Western Conference standings. Gobert -- who infamously touched multiple microphones and recorders of media members during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic nearly two years ago -- is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and has captured three of the last four awards.

The Frenchman is averaging 15.5 points and 2.3 blocks per game, and leads the NBA with career-highs in rebounds per contest (15.1) and field goal percentage (.706). Gobert has led the league in field goal percentage twice in his career, including during the 2020-2021 campaign when he shot 67.5%.

Gay is in his first season with the Jazz and has played in 25 games thus far. The former UConn star is averaging career lows is points (9.2) and minutes per game (19.9), while posting 4.6 rebounds per contest and registering a .429/.377/.805 shooting line.

This is the first time in Gay's career that he is averaging either less than 10 points or 20 minutes per game.

The Jazz will play the Denver Nuggets at 8:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball --  in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!