Introduced to the night-to-night unpredictability of the NBA’s 82-game grind relatively quickly, the Utah Jazz — down a pair of frontcourt starters on night No. 2 of a back-to-back — knew victory on October 29, 2024 would require a storybook ending. Presented the opportunity at both extended playing time and living up to his nickname, though, Kyle Filipowski got right to work in attempting to flip the script. Blending into the congestion of Utah’s middle-of-the-floor pick-and-roll, Filipowski, recognizing the five-inch height advantage over DeMar DeRozan, takes full advantage, shielding the six-time All-Star with a subtle forearm before softly floating in NBA career basket No. 1. Even in defeat against the Sacramento Kings, Filipowski’s versatility was a bright spot, as he contributed gritty, high-IQ play throughout his first legitimate audition in the black-and-yellow. 2024’s No. 32 pick provided a 12-point, eight-rebound, two-assist, one-steal, two 3-pointer showing across 25 minutes of action. · Oct 30, 2024