Gordon Hayward was terrific on Friday, dropping a career-high 40 points in a 111-106 loss to the Clippers in Game 3 of their first round series.

Hayward was great, shooting 13-of-21 (and 10-of-11 from the line) with four triples, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 42 minutes. He brought a capacity crowd to its feet in the third, blowing by DeAndre Jordan and fighting through contact to jam and finish an and-1 opportunity. That being said, he had some fourth quarter troubles and it cost the Jazz big time – they blew a 14 point lead and Hayward’s first field goal of the fourth came with 11 seconds to go. Still, it was a wonderful showing from a star who’s asserting himself on a national stage. This was just his seventh career playoff game, and he looks more than ready for serious competition. We’ll see if the Jazz can pull even in Game 4, which is shaping up as a must-win for the home side.