Utah

Jazz Silver Lining Revealed by ESPN

Published

1 year ago

November 21, 2024

While it hasn’t been the most pleasant start for the Utah Jazz during their 2024-25 campaign, amounting to a 3-11 record through their first 14 games, there are still a few glaring signs of optimism to takeaway that shine through in the mix through the beginning of this season, largely thanks to the reps and development opportunities given to the young talent on the roster so far.

Of those young players having a solid role in the rotation to start this season, one of the most appealing in the small sample size has been first-round rookie Isaiah Collier, who’s made an eye-catching first impression since arriving in Salt Lake City.

During ESPN’s most recent batch of power rankings, the Jazz didn’t see much increase from last week, jumping from only 29th to 28th. Still, writer Tim MacMahon gave fans some reason to be excited about this roster moving forward– that being Utah’s rookie point guard.

“Rookie guard Isaiah Collier is only 1-of-12 from 3-point range, but he’s providing evidence that he can make a positive impact,” MacMahon said. “Collier, whose debut was delayed two weeks due to a hamstring injury, has a plus-10 rating in 108 minutes over his first six games. His tenacious, tough defense has made a favorable impression. Entering Tuesday, the Jazz were allowing only 104.5 points per 100 possessions with the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Collier on the court, the lowest defensive rating among Utah players.”

In ESPN’s rankings, the Jazz placed ahead of two teams in the Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards, and are right on the heels of the New Orleans Pelicans at 27th, who, like Utah, have also struggled in the Western Conference this year with a 4-11 regular season record.

Collier was limited to start this season as he suffered a hamstring injury during training camp, but since his return, he’s begun to show some impressive traits on both sides of the ball during his first seven games on the floor. In 18 minutes a night, the USC product is averaging 4.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 steals.

As mentioned by MacMahon, the offensive side of the ball still has some distance to make up in order to be an effective and consistent two-way threat. At just a. 8.3% clip from long range, he’s not much of a threat beyond the arc just yet, but with a long season ahead, there’s a ton of room to recover those shooting splits.

In the meantime, Collier has emerged as a solid contributor as an offensive facilitator and perimeter defender in the backcourt– two areas which this roster can definitely benefit from.

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Utah

Only one Utah restaurant made Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat list… and it made the Top 10!

Published

5 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Press Room

SALT LAKE CITY — Yelp has released its annual Top 100 Places to Eat List featuring restaurants from around the country, and only one Utah location was praised by reviewers in this year’s rankings.

And it made the Top 10!

According to the site, Slackwater is definitely Yelp-worthy, with its multiple locations across northern Utah coming in at No. 9 among the top 100.

“For those who love their pizzas with a side of pop culture, this popular Utah chain hits the spot,” Yelp wrote.

Sharing what they love about Slackwater, reviewers highlighted the “eye-popping, 300-strong, beer menu,” which Yelp said is tailored to each of the restaurant’s locations in Salt Lake City, Sandy, Ogden, Herriman and Provo.

Others gushed over the wide assortment of pizzas fired up at Slackwater.

“I don’t know what sort of magic they infuse in their pizza, but yassssss! The crust is almost flaky and melt in your mouth, with perhaps a honey sweetness,” wrote reviewer Kaysha.

Yelp said its Top 100 list is created through a number of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews.

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Utah

San Antonio visits Utah after George’s 43-point game

Published

17 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Press Room

San Antonio visits Utah after George’s 43-point game

San Antonio Spurs (30-14, second in the Western Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (15-29, 13th in the Western Conference)

Salt Lake City; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Utah hosts the San Antonio Spurs after Keyonte George scored 43 points in the Utah Jazz’s 127-122 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Jazz are 9-21 against Western Conference opponents. Utah allows the most points in the league, giving up 127.4 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot 49.4%.

The Spurs have gone 17-12 against Western Conference opponents. San Antonio ranks sixth in the Western Conference with 25.9 assists per game led by Stephon Castle averaging 7.0.

The Jazz are shooting 46.7% from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points higher than the 45.9% the Spurs allow to opponents. The Spurs’ 47.2% shooting percentage from the field this season is 2.2 percentage points lower than the Jazz have allowed to their opponents (49.4%).

The teams meet for the third time this season. The Spurs won 123-110 in the last matchup on Jan. 19. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 33 points, and George led the Jazz with 30 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: George is averaging 24.4 points and 6.7 assists for the Jazz. Brice Sensabaugh is averaging 16.3 points over the last 10 games.

De’Aaron Fox is averaging 20.2 points and six assists for the Spurs. Wembanyama is averaging 22.1 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 46.5% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 3-7, averaging 118.1 points, 43.3 rebounds, 30.6 assists, 8.4 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 129.7 points per game.

Spurs: 5-5, averaging 109.7 points, 46.8 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 7.1 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 43.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.5 points.

INJURIES: Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: day to day (illness), Georges Niang: day to day (foot), Brice Sensabaugh: day to day (illness), Kevin Love: day to day (rest), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder).

Spurs: Devin Vassell: out (thigh).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Utah Jazz Announce Injury Report vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Published

1 day ago

January 20, 2026

Press Room

Utah Jazz Announce Injury Report vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves have each revealed their injury reports ahead of their upcoming matchup, where the Jazz in particular have some key names listed to be on the sidelines.

Here’s the full injury report outlook for both the Jazz and Timberwolves before tip-off:

Utah Jazz Injury Report

OUT – G Elijah Harkless (G League)

OUT – C Walker Kessler (left shoulder; injury recovery)

OUT – C Kevin Love (rest)

OUT – F Lauri Markkanen (illness)

OUT – F Georges Niang (left foot; fourth metatarsal stress reaction)

OUT – G Brice Sensabaugh (illness)

OUT – F John Tonje (G League)

OUT – C Oscar Tshiebwe (G League)

A few notable faces will be out of the mix for Utah, but the biggest will be none other than Lauri Markkanen, who continues his leave from a lingering illness, now forcing him out for a fifth consecutive game, and his 11th on the season thus far.

The illness has now made for Markkanen’s longest extended absence this season, putting a brief pause on his career-best campaign that’s even given him looks of being worthy for a second All-Star appearance.

In 33 games this season, Markkanen is leading the Jazz in scoring with 27.9 points a night, paired with 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists, shooting an efficient 48.3% from the field and 36.5% from three.

Within the 10 games that Markkanen has been forced out, Utah has struggled noticeably, now at an 0-10 record in games in which he doesn’t play, currently on a four-game losing streak to pair with his multiple-game absence. And with his status downgraded, it looks like Utah will have yet another chance to end that bothersome streak with a win.

Nov 10, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) drives against Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Along with Markkanen’s status labeled as out, the Jazz will also be down two key bench contributors in Brice Sensabaugh due to an illness, as well as Kevin Love due to rest—meaning Utah will be down their sixth man and leading scorer in the second unit, while also being without their primary backup big man to prevent them from having their typical size.

Expect to see extended minutes from Kyle Filipowski in the frontcourt to compensate for that size, as well as Taylor Hendricks and Cody Williams, who will both naturally fill in for the minutes leftover from Markkanen being out of the mix.

Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report

QUESTIONABLE – C Naz Reid (left shoulder soreness)

OUT – F Terrence Shannon Jr feft foot abductor hallucis strain)

OUT – C Rocco Zikarsky (G League)

The Timberwolves don’t have many injuries to report on their end, with the most prominent being Naz Reid, who’s questionable to suit up with a minor shoulder injury. If he does wind up playing, that could pose even more trouble for the Jazz, that are already down a significant amount of size in their own frontcourt.

The Jazz will be on the second leg of a back-to-back following the end of a five-game road trip. Energy is probably hard to come by for Utah, especially without their star forward, Markkanen. However, if they can rebound from their prior loss on the road against the San Antonio Spurs, it’ll make for their first victory of the season without the services of the finisher.

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