Jazz PG George Hill (toe) back in action Thursday against Sixers
Back in the lineup after missing the previous 13 games,Utah Jazz point guard George Hillscored a team-high 21 points to lead the Jazz to a 100-83 win over the Philadelphia 76erson Thursday night.
Hill played 29 minutes in his return and shot 8-of-10 from the field. He added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and a block.
Hill went through a strenuous Wednesday workout to test his left big toe, which he sprained during a Nov. 29 win over the Houston Rockets.
He entered Thursday's game with averages of 20.0 points and 4.2 assists this season. Hill also missed eight games in November because of a sprained right thumb.
Utah acquired Hill in a three-team trade this summer, and he has filled the Jazz's need for a leader and offensive creator when healthy. The Jazz are 8-3 when Hill plays this season, outscoring opponents by 14.3 points per 100 possessions with Hill on the floor.
The Jazz improved to 20-13 overall despite dealing with injuries to four of their five starters, including extended absences from Hill, small forward Gordon Hayward (broken finger) and power forward Derrick Favors (bone bruise in knee).
Utah's preferred starting five has played only 12 minutes together this season, all in a Nov. 6 win over the New York Knicks. The trio of Hill, Hayward and center Rudy Gobert have played only six games together, and the Jazz are undefeated in those games.
