Fesenko a bright spot in Utah Jazz loss to Atlanta

SALT LAKE CITY — There was definitely a silver lining to Monday's disappointing home loss for the Utah Jazz.

It was a big silver lining, too.

We're talking 300 pounds of brute and beef big.

Yep, Kyrylo Fesenko big.

For the second game in a row, the large 7-foot-1 reserve center provided the team with some big minutes.

Even Jerry Sloan thought so, which is saying something, considering the Jazz coach put the 23-year-old Ukrainian in his unofficial doghouse earlier this month by making him inactive for a game.

"Fes, he came off (the bench) and gave us a lift," Sloan said.

A night after logging 25 minutes in the Jazz's huge comeback win at Portland, Fesenko played 15 minutes in the 105-100 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at EnergySolutions Arena.

It marked the first time in two months — since road games in New Jersey and Atlanta in mid-December — that Fesenko tallied double-digit minutes in consecutive games.

Rewarded with the rare playing time, Fesenko paid back his bench boss by scoring nine points with six rebounds.

"More game time, more confidence, better player," Fesenko said.

"Jerry gave me the chance," added the center who only averages eight minutes this season. "I tried to do as much as I can, get some toughness in the game, get some of boards, get some hustle plays."

Fesenko admitted that the loss took away from his personal success, though.

"You can't say that you played well if your team lost," Fesenko said.

A rather mature statement for a guy who's known more for his goofing-off antics and carefree attitude than his big performances.

While admitting that his backup big man's strong play Sunday gave him "more confidence" to play him, Sloan said Fesenko's occasional lack of focus has been "his problem" in helping him earn more playing time.

"He'll have some ups and downs," Sloan said. "The biggest thing is to continue to work."

Fesenko, who played more minutes in this back-to-back set than he had in 10 previous games he appeared in combined, also got some praise from a teammate.

"I think Fes has played really well. I'm happy for him," Jazz shooting guard Kyle Korver said. "I think the next step for Fes is having some success and to keep on working — not be happy because you did something nice."

Fesenko acknowledges that, too.

He's put together a couple of good games here and there but hasn't been able to find the consistency his coach and team need from him.

"It's just a mental thing," Fesenko said.

The third-year player, whose contract expires at the end of the season, was most proud of his 3-for-3 performance from the free-throw line.