Honesty and communication are pillars of any strong relationship. That includes the relationship between coaches and players and teammates.
So on Monday morning, as the Jazz got together to meet and watch film ahead of the second of their back-to-back games against the Houston Rockets, they laid everything out on the table.
It was a wide-ranging, honest conversation that covered how they played on Sunday night in a blowout loss to the Rockets and how they let themselves down with lack of energy and effort.
They also touched on the fact that they owe the organization and the fans more than what they gave.
There was definitely talk about adjustments they would want to make against Houston, and they went over some of the schematic nuances that would be important in the Monday’s rematch, but more than anything, every person admitted where they fell short and what more they could do to impact winning rather than give up.
Then, on Monday night, the Jazz came into the Delta Center with the resolve not to repeat their mistakes. After an embarrassing loss on Sunday, the Jazz beat the Rockets, 133-125.
Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkić (30) contests a 3-pointer by Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half of an NBA game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) drives to the basket against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half of an NBA game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Houston Rockets center Alperen Șengün (28) shoots a 3-pointer over Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkić (30) during the first half of an NBA game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Houston Rockets center Alperen Șengün (28) drives to the basket against Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski (22) and center Jusuf Nurkić (30) during the first half of an NBA game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts after being fouled during the first half of an NBA game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
After sustaining a season-ending injury in a previous game, Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, left, looks on from the stands as he attends an NBA game between the Utah Jazz and the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Kevin Love (42) reacts to a basket made by guard Walter Clayton Jr. (13) during the first half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) dunks during the first half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) watches his layup fall into the basket during the first half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Kevin Love (42) drives to the basket for a layup against Houston Rockets center Alperen Șengün (28) during the second half of an NBA game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Houston Rockets center Alperen Șengün (28) catches a pass over Utah Jazz forward Kevin Love (42) during the first half of an NBA game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Houston Rockets center Alperen Șengün (28) drives to the basket against Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkić (30) during the second half of an NBA game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) steals the ball from Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the second half of an NBA game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
The Jazz Bear blows toilet papers onto fans during an NBA game between the Utah Jazz and the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) reacts after being found while driving to the basket during the second half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz guard Walter Clayton Jr. (13) reacts after making a 3-pointer during the second half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz guard Ace Bailey (19) blocks a shot during the second half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski (22) moves the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half of an NBA game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz guard Svi Mykhailiuk (10) reacts during the first half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) shoots over Houston Rockets guard Aaron Holiday (0) during the second half of an NBA game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Houston Rockets guard Aaron Holiday (0) reacts after making a 3-pointer during the second half of an NBA game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Kevin Love (42) reacts after the play during the second half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Kevin Love (42) sticks out his tongue as he celebrates making a 3-pointer during the second half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski (22) celebrates with guard Ace Bailey (19) after making a 3-pointer during the second half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski (22) celebrates after making a 3-pointer during the second half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) moves the ball against Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) during the second half of an NBA game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy complains to the officials during the second half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Kevin Love (42) attempts to block a pass by Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the second half of an NBA game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy complains to an official during the second half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) makes a 3-pointer during the second half of an NBA game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Houston Rockets guard Aaron Holiday (0) celebrates after forward Kevin Durant (7) made a 3-pointer during the second half of an NBA game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Kevin Love (42) reacts after the play during the second half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) complains to referee Michael Smith (38) during the second half of NBA game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) looks for a lane during the second half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
The Jazz Bear hypes up the crowd during a timeout during the second half of an NBA game between the Utah Jazz and the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) looks on during the second half of an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkić (30) reacts after picking up his sixth foul of the game during the second half an NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.| Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
“For me, it was just about honestly apologizing to the fans,” Keyonte George said. “They don’t deserve how we played yesterday, and just to speak on how I played, they don’t deserve that either.
“Every single night I got to come bring the energy, and that’s what happened tonight...if we don’t bring the energy, we see what it looks like, and when we bring the energy, we see what it looks like, and we beat a great team on other end.”
George, who went scoreless on Sunday with eight turnovers, turned in a 28-point, 8-assist game on Monday, and was one of seven Jazz players who scored in double figures.
Lauri Markkanen led the way with 29 points and eight rebounds, Jusuf Nurkić added 18 points and nine rebounds, Ace Bailey chipped in 13 points, Svi Mykhailiuk had 10 and Kevin Love and Kyle Filipowski combined for 23 off the bench.
The Jazz led the Rockets by as many as 21 points, but the third-best team in the Western Conference wasn’t going to go away easy. and Houston cut the Jazz lead down to just three points in the final minutes of the game.
But, withstanding a run was something Jazz head coach Will Hardy anticipated.
“We talked pregame a little bit about it not being about how we start the game, it’s that we have to sustain our focus for 48 minutes,” Hardy said.
“We’re going to have to go through some tough moments, and I thought for the majority of the game, we played really, really cohesive basketball on both sides the floor.”
It’s possible the Jazz would have wanted to come out on Monday and respond to their Sunday afternoon performance even without some sort of prolonged conversation, but the fact that they were able to be open about their mistakes and own them in conversation, then have a really solid performance, sets a precedent.
It means that blunt, sometimes harsh conversations are something that can be a stepping stone to improvement.
“If we don’t communicate, if we aren’t honest with each other, then not a damn thing is going to get done,” Love said. “So we have to have those conversations, and I was telling these guys, I’m old, 18 years in, and I’ve been on teams where we’re not taking care of like we are here, and to not lose sight of that, and to pay it forward.”
And a way to pay it forward on a team is to foster the relationships with honesty and then prove that you mean what you say when you’re on the court.
On Monday, the Jazz proved that they can better than what they showed on Sunday.
“It shows that we’re capable of focusing as a group,” Hardy said. “It shows that we are capable of managing emotional moments.”