Jazz Dominate Clippers in Opening-Night Victory

The Utah Jazz opened their 2025–26 NBA season with a commanding performance against the LA Clippers, winning 129-108. This victory marks a significant moment in the Jazz’s journey as they work to change their narrative.

Jazz’s Young Talent Shines

Head coach Will Hardy emphasized the advantages of youth in his team. “We can’t only look at the downsides of youth,” he stated, highlighting the positive energy and conditioning the Jazz aim to bring to the court.

In the opening quarter, the Jazz showcased their potential, racing to a 43-19 lead. Key players made significant contributions: Lauri Markkanen scored 20 points, Walker Kessler tallied 22 points and nine rebounds, and Keyonte George added 16 points and nine assists. Hardy praised his team’s performance, noting, “It was a heck of a team win.”

Exceptional Team Play

• Utah recorded a total of 38 assists with only 12 turnovers.
• The team’s ball movement was instrumental in creating high-percentage shots.

This high-energy approach reflects the rigorous training sessions the team undertook during the offseason. George remarked, “Honestly, I’ve never had a camp like we’ve had since I’ve been in the NBA. It made the game real easy.” The players’ hard work paid off as they executed their game plan with remarkable precision.

Defensive Transformation

Defensively, the Jazz demonstrated significant improvement, a change from their previous seasons where they struggled on that end of the court. Hardy’s squad held the Clippers to a shooting percentage of 44% and compiled 11 steals.

Kessler commented on the team’s defense saying, “We were just flying around; we were in the right spots at the right time.” This transformation suggests a renewed focus on defensive strategy under Hardy’s guidance.

Impressive Season Start

With this victory, the Jazz aims to shift perceptions around their capabilities. Hardy expressed hope that fans will focus on the present strengths of the team. “I think there’s a lot to be proud of,” he concluded.

As the Jazz continue to compete and build on this foundation, they could surprise many and establish a new identity in the league.