Sun sets on star Mark Eaton’s life as his Jazz win playoff game

Tonight's sun setting, simultaneous to the Jazz game, above the exact Park City mountain where Utah Jazz former star Mark Eaton died last night. Photo: Michele Roepke

PARK CITY, Utah. — Leading the entire game, the #1 Utah Jazz was inspired on the court at the Memphis Grizzlies. Inspired by the sad news that Mark Eaton, former player, tragically died in Park City last night while riding his bike.

They won 121 to 111, putting the Jazz up two-to-one for the series.

In this game three of the Western first round, a nice tribute to Eaton’s remarkable career was shown by the ESPN commentators. Playing all twelve of his years in the NBA with the Salt Lake City Jazz, the center, Eaton, was a fan favorite. 

Jazz player, Rudy Gobert, has attempted to emulate the career of Eaton, his friend, and idol. Successfully doing so, they both have been the defensive Player of the Year twice.

Memphis player Ja Morant punctuated his first half with a 360 dunk that was missed if you blinked. Morant’s parents were the innocent recipients of some Jazz spectators’ unacceptably troubling behavior at the Vivint Arena in the last game.

Utah’s Mike Conley, who used to play for the Grizzlies in tonight’s arena in Tennessee, had a great game and said to ABC 4 TV News, “This is gonna be a tough series.” 

There was a watch party held for Utah’s pumped-up public in the Vivint Arena. When thoughts turned to the passing of the beloved 64-year-old Eaton, an attendee told FOX 13 TV News that there was a “Bit of a somber feeling inside.”

Game four will take place in Memphis on Monday night.

The winner of this series will advance through the playoffs to take on the winner of the Dallas, Clippers series.