From Deseret News archives:
Fisher returns to cheers, provides spark
It wasn't for Boozer's free throw, rather it was because Derek Fisher was entering the game, not only for the first time Thursday, but the first time in the second-round series with Golden State.
Fisher had missed Monday's game, Tuesday's practice and Wednesday's shootaround. He had been back in New York for potential life-threatening eye surgery on his 10-month-old daughter, Tatum, who has a form of cancer called retinoblastoma, and had just flown in a few minutes before.
Not only did Fisher show up to play for the Jazz, he hit perhaps the key basket of the night when he swished a 3-pointer from the left corner with 1:06 left in overtime.
When the ball settled through the net, giving the Jazz a 123-117 lead, the noise in the arena surpassed the cheer when he entered the game, but not by much.
For Fisher it was literally his first shot in three days. He had arrived in Salt Lake about 8 p.m. and rushed to the arena just as the third quarter was starting.
"I hadn't shot the ball any time before that, but it was perfect timing," he said of his big 3-pointer. "I had played enough minutes where I was starting to feel like myself again. I told myself during the timeout before, that an opportunity was going to come and that I can't be passive."
Fisher had played the final three minutes of the third quarter, but didn't play most of the fourth, until entering the game with 1:13 left and the Jazz down three, 110-107.
With the Jazz still down three at 112-109, he forced a key turnover on Baron Davis, who burned the Jazz to the tune of 36 points.
Fisher assisted on the first basket of overtime by Boozer at the 4:38 mark that put the Jazz up for good.
It was still anyone's game when Fisher took a pass from Deron Williams in the corner and sank the big shot that put the Jazz up by six.
Fisher was genuinely touched by the ovation he received when he entered the game.
"I couldn't believe it," he said. "We're very fortunate that people care about us. This organization and these fans — the support has been off the charts."
Fisher and his wife first found out about his daughter's diagnosis just last Wednesday. He said although it has been a tough few days, he's confident his daughter will be OK.
"It's not over for us but for right now, things are as good as they can be," he said. "I can't say enough about the support from family, friends and loved ones that sent their love and their prayers — it was unbelievable."
E-mail: sor@desnews.com
