The Utah Jazz beat the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center with a final score of 105-94.

For the pro-tank Jazz fans, these type of games hurt. With this win, the Jazz move out of the bottom-three worst records in the league and would now fall behind the Nets in the lottery, should their records tie at the end of the season (pending Brooklyn’s visit to Utah on January 12th). With that said, losing this game would have proven difficult for Utah, as the Nets shot a shocking 7-40 from three, versus Utah’s 14-41. That type of three-point shooting discrepancy is almost insurmountable for any team in the NBA today.

The Jazz were led tonight by Lauri Markkanen’s 21 points and seven rebounds. Collin Sexton chipped in 18 points on 8-14 shooting, while Jordan Clarkson added another 16 points on 6-12 from the field. With Cody Williams and Kyle Filipowski both assigned out due to G-League assignments, Utah’s rotation featured some less-frequented veteran faces. Svi Mykhailiuk pitched in 18 points tonight on 7-11 shooting from the field and 4-8 shooting from three. Micah Potter, while only given nine minutes, scored three points, grabbed two rebounds, and dished out two assists. While both Williams and Filipowski playing more minutes in the G-League does offer some developmental value, a game like tonight would have been a great opportunity to involve them more in the offense, rather than having players like Mykhailiuk eat up playing time. Hopefully the Jazz call up both sooner than later.

For the Nets, Cam Johnson led their team in scoring with 18 points. Ben Simmons offered a double-double, scoring 15 points and nabbing 10 rebounds.

Arkansas has added a significant boost to its backfield with the signing of New Mexico State transfer running back Mike Washington. Washington, who originally committed to Utah through the transfer portal, opted for Arkansas after a visit to Fayetteville. This shift highlights the competitive nature of the transfer portal and player commitments.

At 6-foot-2 and weighing 215 pounds, Washington brings size, strength, and a proven track record of production. In 2024, he rushed for 725 yards and eight touchdowns on 157 carries, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt. His ability to contribute in the passing game, evidenced by nine receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown, adds another layer to his versatility. Washington’s standout performance against Western Kentucky, where he ran for 152 yards and two scores, underscores his potential to deliver in crucial moments.

Before his time at New Mexico State, Washington spent three seasons at Buffalo. His 2022 campaign was particularly noteworthy, as he led the Bulls with 625 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. That year, he recorded a memorable 92-yard touchdown run against Bowling Green, showcasing his breakaway speed. His consistent ability to catch passes out of the backfield further enhances his value, with 23 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown in 2022.

Former Oklahoma QB Brendan Zurbrugg transfers to Utah

Washington’s path to Arkansas reflects his desire to compete at the highest level. Although Utah initially secured his commitment, the allure of the SEC and the opportunity to make an immediate impact likely influenced his final decision. Arkansas benefits from Washington’s experience and ability to perform against strong competition, which will be critical as the Razorbacks aim to elevate their standing in the conference.

For Utah, Washington’s departure leaves a gap, but the Utes have incoming talent to fill the void. Transfers like Wayshawn Parker and NaQuari Rogers, along with promising freshmen, will be tasked with stepping up.

Washington’s arrival in Arkansas adds depth and experience to the Razorbacks’ running back room, positioning him as a key player to watch in the upcoming season.

Happy Saturday, and welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter that features a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah — without any of the vitriol or yelling that’s become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.

Happy Saturday, friends. As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for subscribing to Inside Voices and reading along each week. My hope was to create a forum for opinions you won’t find elsewhere and to share your own experience without any of the vitriol or yelling that’s become all too common on other platforms.

I’m especially grateful to those of you who have shared your perspectives, analyses and ideas. To celebrate that, I’d like to take a look back at some of The Salt Lake Tribune’s most read Voices pieces from 2024:

1. LDS women should join me in skipping church on Sunday | Kierstyn Kremer Howes

2. If Ryan Smith can’t afford his own entertainment district, I have no choice but to assume he is poor | Brian Higgins

3. ‘Heretic’ brings back scary, suffocating memories of my LDS mission | Beth Adams

4. After three decades of being a Utah Jazz fan, I can’t do it anymore | Bryan Griffith

5. Christ put his trust in women, why won’t more LDS men? | Rosemary Card

6. Glen Canyon Dam has created a world of mud | David Marston

7. The Utah Jazz need to stop giving Karl Malone a platform | Ben Dowsett

8. For millennial women like me, LDS garments carry a complicated symbolism | Annie Mangelson

9. Natalie Cline bullied our child, and she should be impeached | Al and Rachel van der Beek

10. Weber State is embracing change in our approach to serving students. As its leader, I welcome scrutiny. | Brad Mortensen

11. I grew up in Park City, and I don’t recognize the place it’s become | Fletcher Keyes

12. Utah, it’s OK to go outside without winning | Brian Higgins

13. As a parent, I hated sending my kids to school so early. As a sleep researcher, I know how damaging it is. | Wendy Troxel

14. It’s time to step away | Paul Huntsman

15. I’ll be at my LDS church this weekend, pushing for change | Amy Watkins Jensen

16. Why Utah teachers say they’re leaving the profession | Tribune Readers

17. After six weeks on SLC public transit, I can’t give up my car quite yet | Elise Armand

18. I’m a Latter-day Saint and a horror expert. Here’s what ‘Heretic’ gets right — and where it went wrong. | Michaelbrent Collings

19. I’m in Oslo. But I see a big case of Stockholm syndrome in Salt Lake City. | George Pyle

20. As a former Republican senator in Utah, I’m embarrassed | Stuart C. Reid

21. Ogden has a rare piece of history. It shouldn’t sit around and gather dust. | Dana Parker

22. My LDS family adopted an American Indian child in the 1970s. It was wrong, and the church should apologize. | Thomas DeVere Wolsey

23. The University of Utah can’t ignore us — its staff and faculty — forever | Kristina Lynae

24. It’s time for Utah chefs to get off their gas | Victoria N. Stafford and Edwin R. Stafford

25. Liquor store refrigerators boldly usher Salt Lake beer-lovers into the mid-20th century | Brian Higgins

Thanks for sharing and for reading! If you’re interested in contributing an op-ed or Letter to the Editor in 2025, please take a look at our guidelines — which include several helpful prompts — and reach out to me at sweber@sltrib.com.

Utah Voices

The following excerpts come from op-eds recently published in The Tribune.

Health insurance

• “Too often, we’ve seen treatment denied because patients aren’t deemed ‘depressed enough’ by insurance standards, yet as I sit across from them, I see them suffering to the point of suicidal ideation,” writes Utah psychiatrist Alex Mageno. Read more.

Housing

• “Utah has the space to provide support for the unhoused and suburban communities have a chance to lead this charge,” writes Chandler Whitlock, a master’s student at the University of Utah. “Society thrives when we support each other. We can utilize existing resources to support one of our community’s most vulnerable populations.” Read more.

Education

• “In an era where people are concerned about controversial groups and bad actors infiltrating education, shared governance gives a name and a face to the people who are influencing education at the local level,” writes Utah teacher Sarah Nichols. “Parents consistently express trust for their child’s teacher and their own local schools. Removing teachers from the decision-making process will only weaken community influence on public education.” Read more.

Diversity, equity and inclusion

• “The legislators who presented HB261 said that student clubs were to remain untouched, but this did not happen. Instead, this ‘anti-discrimination’ law has undercut some of the most important anti-discrimination organizations in the state,” writes Michael Lee Wood and Jacob S. Rugh at BYU. “We believe the Utah Legislature can correct their mistake and stay true to the aims of anti-discrimination, rooting out racism and interracial support by repealing HB261 in the next legislative session.” Read more.

Transgender rights

• “Anti-trans laws are being proposed and passed almost every day in America. Federal lawmakers are condoning and/or encouraging violence against us. As a teacher and a trans person, my livelihood is in jeopardy,” writes Kiley Campbell. “My question would be: What does de-escalation do to help any of this?” Read more.

Share Your Perspective

I’m gathering predictions ahead of the new year. What do you see happening — or what would you like to see happen — in Utah in 2025?

From Bagley’s Desk

I’m always looking for unique perspectives, ideas and solutions that move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop me a note at voices@sltrib.com.