Guard Ochai Ogbaji scored 12 points for the Utah Jazz in their narrow 120-119 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on Friday. 

The rookie who had deputised for Lauri Markkanen in the starting line up in the last two games returned to the bench after the Fin returned from a knee injury.

The 22-year-old had 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal in the game while Markkanen led the Jazz in scoring with 43 points and Jordan Clackson had 24 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder in scoring with 39 points while Josh Giddey recorded 18 points. 

Agbaji, who was selected with the 14th overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers was traded along with Colin Sexton and Markkanen for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchel. 

He has averaged 4.8 points per game, 1.7 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game this season. While he started the season out of the Jazz’s rotation, the player of Nigerian descent has played himself into the Jazz rotation as a result of his defensive qualities.