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Jazz’s Darryn Peterson sends clear message after top-5 duel: ‘Always taking me’
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- Jazz’s Darryn Peterson sends clear message after top-5 duel: ‘Always taking me’
Jazz's Darryn Peterson sends clear message after top-5 duel: 'Always taking me' appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
LAS VEGAS — From a certain point of view, David beat Goliath on Sunday night. The Los Angeles Clippers' Summer League squad took down the Utah Jazz . And No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler, despite starting slowly, got the win over No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson .
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That didn't faze Peterson, whose signature confidence remained as high as ever after the game. He gave Wagler and the Clippers their due, but absolutely nothing else. The point guard told reporters at the Thomas & Mack Center that, regardless of the outcome, he's taking himself over any other 2026 NBA Draftee.
"They got the dub, so I'd say he won the matchup. I'll watch the film back and see, but I'm always taking me vs. all- everybody. Everybody in our draft, not top-5," Peterson declared.
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After making just one of seven shots in his Summer League debut, Wagler started out his second game with the exact same slash line. He bounced back quickly, though, draining three of his last four 3-point attempts on his way to an 18-point second half.
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It was more than enough to outmatch Peterson and the Summer League Jazz , who Los Angeles outpaced 104-82. Wagler finished with 23 points and four assists, shooting 4-7 from 3-point range overall, making just as many field goals as Peterson (6-18 FG) with two fewer misses (6-16 FG).
Peterson's statement was bold , but not unjustified — the top of this draft class has plenty of potential, and time to translate it to production. Even in the wake of star performances from players like No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson, Peterson certainly has the talent to back his take up with time.
The Jazz and Chicago Bulls are set to face off on Monday night, which would have afforded both Peterson and Wilson an opportunity to compete for bragging rights , but only Wilson is playing. When it comes to Peterson's classmate in the Windy City, Utah's new franchise point guard will have to put his money where his mouth is on a real NBA court. He'll get plenty of chances in the years to come.
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