SALT LAKE CITY – Saturday’s matchup against the Utah Jazz will mark just the second time in the NBA career of Frank Jackson that he’s played a game in his home state. So much has changed around him in the eight-plus months since Jackson last set foot on the Vivint Smart Home Arena court, but the former Lone Peak High standout remains a key piece to New Orleans’ future and a contributor off the bench for the Pelicans.
The March 4 visit to the Beehive State was actually a turning point of sorts for Jackson, because rampant Pelicans backcourt injuries soon followed, leading to Jackson logging at least 25 minutes in each of the final nine games he played last season.