Sixers Praise Jabari Walker's Big Game in Win Over Jazz

The 76ers' role player stepped up with a 22-point, 10-rebound performance to help secure the victory.

Mar. 5, 2026 at 12:04pm

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The Philadelphia 76ers earned a 106-102 win over the struggling Utah Jazz on Wednesday, and multiple Sixers players heaped praise on forward Jabari Walker for his standout performance off the bench. Walker scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, shooting 4-for-7 from 3-point range to help the Sixers secure the much-needed victory.

Why it matters

The Sixers are fighting for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference, so Walker's big game was crucial in getting them a win over a weaker opponent. His ability to provide scoring punch and rebounding off the bench could be key for the Sixers as they look to make a deep postseason run.

The details

Walker, who is on a standard NBA contract after previously being a two-way player, had 20 points and 6 rebounds in a blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs the previous night. He was able to build on that performance and give the Sixers a major boost against the Jazz, knocking down 4 of his 7 3-point attempts. Sixers coach Nick Nurse praised Walker's improved confidence and aggression in taking open shots, while teammates Tyrese Maxey and Quentin Grimes also highlighted his strong play.

  • The Sixers earned the 106-102 win over the Jazz on Wednesday, March 5, 2026.
  • Walker had 20 points and 6 rebounds in the Sixers' blowout loss to the Spurs just 24 hours earlier on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.

The players

Jabari Walker

A forward for the Philadelphia 76ers who had a standout performance off the bench, scoring 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the team's win over the Utah Jazz.

Nick Nurse

The head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, who praised Walker's improved confidence and aggression in taking open shots.

Tyrese Maxey

A guard for the Philadelphia 76ers who highlighted Walker's strong play, noting that he shot 7 3-pointers and made 4 of them.

Quentin Grimes

A guard for the Philadelphia 76ers who said Walker has been "fantastic" in his recent performances, even when the team was already down big in a previous game.

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What they’re saying

“He was great. I mean, obviously, we've been trying to get him to play like that, right? I said this a long time ago, like, he's a really good shooter. You just have to get used to the NBA feel and having enough to pull the trigger on them and noticeably better in his last few games that he's just running the floor, comes to him and he's open, and he just—not much hesitation on him, right?”

— Nick Nurse, Head Coach, Philadelphia 76ers

“He's been fantastic. Even last night, when the game was just so far out of reach, he came in at the right mindset. Attacking and shooting open shots. So I mean, if he keeps playing like that is gonna be big time for us, for sure.”

— Quentin Grimes, Guard, Philadelphia 76ers

“He played really good. Let me see how may 3s he shot...He shot seven 3s. Wow, that's a lot. OK, that was great. Shot seven. Made four. Played hard on defense. He did a really good job.”

— Tyrese Maxey, Guard, Philadelphia 76ers

What’s next

The Sixers will now hit the road and take on the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday as they hope to get a little healthier.

The takeaway

Jabari Walker's breakout performance off the bench was a crucial factor in the Sixers' win over the Jazz, showcasing his ability to provide scoring and rebounding when the team needs it most. His improved confidence and aggression in taking open shots could be a valuable asset for the Sixers as they push for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.