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Isaiah Collier has historic performance for short-handed Jazz 
Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier. Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Isaiah Collier has historic performance for short-handed Jazz 

Tuesday's meeting between the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers was likely forgot about for most considering there were nine other games on the schedule with a lot more significance.

After all, both teams have a combined 29-73 record and have not had much to cheer about all season. With that said, a 131-122 win from the Jazz (16-35) on Tuesday night featured a historic performance from second-year player Isaiah Collier.

Collier's 17 points (6-of-16 FG) were only fifth-most on the team, but it was his 22 assists that not only put him in elite company in franchise history, but also set a new mark in the NBA.

Isaiah Collier has career night against Pacers

The 22 assists were a career-high for Collier, but he also became the youngest to record at least 20 assists in the history of the league. Only Hall of Famer John Stockton has had more assists in a game for the Jazz.

You even have to go back to March 7 last season when Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic had 22 dimes to find any player in the league who had that many assists in a game.

To be fair, the Pacers (13-38) are last in the Eastern Conference and have struggled immensely without star Tyrese Haliburton, who has been out of action all season since suffering a torn right Achilles during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals.

Indiana was also without All-Star Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell, who were either resting or out with minor injuries, but the historic outing from Collier cannot be lost in a battle of two of the league's worst teams who just so happened to be short-handed at the time.

He only averages the seventh-most points on the team (9.5 PPG), but Collier has posted at least 10 assists six times this season. Even though the Jazz had lost six in a row until the win on Tuesday night, Collier put up 10 or more points in all but one of those games as well.

The performance was even more impressive when you consider the Jazz only had seven players following the trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. earlier in the day. After going big with the trade, it is clear the Jazz are prioritizing size as they look to build a roster capable of getting back to the playoffs.

While that is still a work in progress, Collier's performance at least shows the potential that exists and the young talent that is on this team. A win over Indiana will do nothing to change the narrative for now, but the fact that Collier is on a list that includes the Hall of Famer Stockton is a good reminder of how impressive the 22 assists are, despite the opponent they came against.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

This article first appeared on Southern Miss Golden Eagles On SI and was syndicated with permission.

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