Moments before a confetti blizzard filled EnergySolutions Arena and prior to Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap embracing each other at midcourt after the buzzer, the raucous and postseason-hungry crowd of 19,911 chanted “Playoffs! Playoffs! Playoffs!”
It was a simple but oh-so-satisfying chant that aptly summed up the night for the Utah Jazz.
The playoff drought — longer for some members of the Jazz than others — is over.
After a postseason off, the Jazz will be back in the NBA’s Big Dance once again after eliminating the Phoenix Suns in a tense and thrilling 100-88 victory Tuesday night at EnergySolutions Arena.
“You know, it’s a credit to these guys,” Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said.
And from these guys, Corbin was referring to everybody from his coaching staff that helped him build a bridge from Hall of Fame coach Jerry Sloan’s era to his own, to the 15 Jazz players who helped the franchise secure its 25th playoff berth in 29 years.
— Reported by Jody Genessy of the Deseret News
