Did a late timeout ruin the Jazz’s chance to win against the Lakers?

SALT LAKE CITY – Collin Sexton thought he had won the game.

The Jazz guard scooped it high off the glass for a layup and then went to celebrate. However, the supposed game winner didn’t count.

Will Hardy, sensing danger on the final possession, called a timeout.

Sexton wasn’t so lucky with his second chance. The Jazz flew to Sexton, who fumbled the ball and couldn’t get a look as Utah lost 105-104 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at the Delta Center.

Heartbreak.

“We’re happy to let people go in this situation,” Hardy said. “When Collin did a retreat dribble backwards, I started calling a timeout. This is obviously loud. The hope would have been to have a few seconds more than 2.1, but yes, it is tough.”

To be clear, it was not certain that Hardy’s timeout cost the team the win. The whistle sounded clearly as Sexton started his drive, and that prompted Anthony Davis, lurking in the paint, to allow the layup.

Davis might have collected a game-winning block had Hardy not called a timeout. Or maybe Sexton makes the layup anyway.

“It’s hard because you don’t know exactly how it would have turned out if they hadn’t blown the whistle and everyone had continued playing. Maybe Collin would have finished it,” Hardy said. “I told (Sexton) in the locker room that I robbed him of a moment at the end of the game.”

Sexton added: “It could have gone either way. At the end of the day the coach felt I was a bit stuck and made a decision. It’s just one of those, if it goes in, good; “But if not, then.” I should have taken the time out, so I don’t blame them at all for doing it.

Hardy initially signaled a timeout — usually by jumping and yelling to get the officials’ attention — and there were about four seconds left. The timeout was only granted when the clock ticked to 2.1. That didn’t leave the Jazz many options for a game-winning play.

The plan was to hit Lauri Markkanen at the elbow, but Brice Sensabaugh hesitated and the passing window closed. That left Sensabaugh to pass the ball to Sexton, who, in a rush, lost the ball for a brief moment and was unable to fire a shot.

“We have to work on that,” Hardy said. “Fight for our space, play the ball. Brice has never been in this situation – he comes into the ball at the end of a game. It’s a good experience for him. It’s a good experience for our team.”

The disappointing finish capped one of Utah’s strongest performances of the season – especially in the final period.

The Jazz got big shots from Sexton, Keyonte George, Walker Kessler and Markkanen as the team rallied from a nine-point deficit with 5:33 left to nearly snag the win.

“I think the guys fought hard enough to win,” Hardy said. “We have to show the same competitiveness and energy on this road trip and then we will make a breakthrough. I think the team is getting better.”

Davis had 33 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Lakers, and LeBron James added 27 points and 14 assists.

Markkanen led Utah with 22 points and seven rebounds, and John Collins added 21 points and nine rebounds. Kessler had 13 points and 11 rebounds, and it was his putback layup with 31 seconds left that cut the Lakers’ lead to one.

Sexton had 8 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, leading to the near comeback.

And I may have added another bucket too.

“I did what I did,” Hardy said of the timeout. “Ultimately we all have responsibility, but Collins is a great kid and a great teammate. He is excellent for training. He and I are known to clash a lot, but there is a lot of love between us. I hope we get a situation like that again,” and I’ll just go to the bench and sit down when he goes to court.

When told about the comment, Sexton responded, “Hey, if that’s the case, I’ll let you all know it’s going up.” I’ll shoot it.”