Jazz Sell Out First Game Since March 2020

SALT LAKE CITY — More than 18,000 fans filed into Vivint Arena for Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Clippers.

It was the first sold out game for the Utah Jazz since March 9, 2020 when they played the Toronto Raptors before an infamous road game to Oklahoma City. They began the season at 10% capacity.

“Keep it loud and keep it lit,” Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson said to fans before Tuesday night’s game.

They listened.

Keep it loud, keep it lit👏🏻

First full capacity game at @vivintarena since March 9, 2020. pic.twitter.com/cPH3sVdDhc

— Morgan Wolfe (@MorganWolfeKSL) June 9, 2021

“It’s like overwhelming,” said Mathew Arscott, who’s been a Jazz fan his whole life.

Arscott said there’s nothing that beats the vibrant feeling inside Vivint Arena on game day.

“It’s just coming back together and being able to connect with people that share the same lifestyles and the same interest,” he said.

Fans in attendance included a face familiar to Salt Lake City, the mailman himself, Karl Malone.

“It’s just crazy seeing everything get back to normal,” said Joe Brown, who attended the game with his wife.

The Browns were at a game in March and said it was quiet and almost eerie, so they were happy to see a lively crowd Tuesday night.

The Jazz players also seemed to be appreciative of the volume of cheers. Donovan Mitchell was seen multiple times pumping the air, encouraging them to cheer louder.

And it appears those cheers helped as the Jazz were able to come back in the second half to beat the Clippers 112-109.

Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday at Vivint.

“Everybody wants to rule the world.”🎶

Jazz take home game 112-109. @utahjazz #takenote #jazzwin #ksltv pic.twitter.com/AuVTzcKRtO

— Morgan Wolfe (@MorganWolfeKSL) June 9, 2021