SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz accomplished two goals Saturday night: They successfully debuted big man Jaren Jackson Jr. and lost to the Orlando Magic 120-117.
Jackson Jr. scored 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting, adding five rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes.
The Jazz, however, blew a 17-point second-half lead as neither Jackson Jr. nor Lauri Markkanen played in the fourth quarter.
Jaren Jackson Jr. Makes It Look Easy in Jazz Debut
During the team’s nearly four-year rebuild, the Jazz have featured several capable veterans, but few simplified the game the way Jackson Jr. did in his first appearance.
The 26-year-old used his size, strength, and soft touch to pour in 22 points, including 11 in the first quarter, as the Jazz repeatedly found the two-time All-Star for easy looks near the rim.
Coach Will Hardy has earned praise for the team’s offensive execution, but he has never had the complementary competence that Jackson Jr. and Markkanen displayed.
“He’s got great touch,” Hardy said of the forward. “That little push shot, half-floater, half-hook that he shoots with both hands is a weapon.”
Trip started off his tenure as a Jazzman with a 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 22 points while adding in five boards and a few dimes 💪#TakeNote presented by @ZionsBank pic.twitter.com/P9RPO1KpaX
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 8, 2026
On several possessions, the Magic struggled to match up with the Jazz’s new frontcourt, allowing simple actions to create high-quality shots.
Often, Jackson Jr. isolated smaller defenders on the perimeter, then backed them into the paint and shot over them. Other times, Markkanen sprinted ahead for easy transition finishes created by Utah’s suddenly sturdy defense.
The Jazz showed some early clunkiness—at one point, several starters watched as Jackson Jr. worked in the post—but they quickly settled in. They led 94-87 entering the fourth quarter before resting Jackson Jr. and Markkanen for the final 12 minutes.
“He didn’t settle tonight, which I thought was great,” Hardy said of Jackson Jr. “He played with a lot of force. So yeah, there’s a lot to build on there.”
Because the Jazz continue prioritizing their top-8 protected first-round pick, fans may not see the roster’s full offensive potential this season. Still, if Saturday’s game in Orlando offered any indication, Utah’s new frontcourt pairing has a bright future.
Keyonte George Injured Again
Keyonte George returned after missing three games with a left ankle sprain but exited midway through the second quarter after turning his right ankle.
The guard stayed down for two possessions, holding the ankle after rolling it on a non-contact play.
Keyonte George just returned from a left ankle injury, and now is limping off the floor with a right ankle injury.
Looks like a pretty good roll.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 8, 2026
He eventually limped off the floor and returned to the bench, but was ruled out at halftime.
After spraining both ankles in the past week, George must be cautious not to overcompensate and injure something else when he returns.
With one game left on the road trip and back-to-back home games on Wednesday and Thursday before the All-Star break, the Jazz may act conservatively, giving him nearly two full weeks to rest before they face the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 20.
The Jazz will travel to face the Miami Heat on Monday at 5:30 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.