Andy Larsen
@andyblarsen.bsky.social
It's me. Utah Jazz & NBA beat writer for The Salt Lake Tribune. Oh, and now I also write a data column once a week for the Trib
That was some tanking! Down 3, 7 seconds left, Hardy goes no timeout full court. Isaiah Collier takes the game-tying three attempt, misses.
Magic win 120-117.
Hugely successful game for the Jazz: proof of concept with Markkanen/JJJ, and still an L in the standings.
Magic win 120-117.
Hugely successful game for the Jazz: proof of concept with Markkanen/JJJ, and still an L in the standings.
February 8, 2026 at 2:35 AM
That was some tanking! Down 3, 7 seconds left, Hardy goes no timeout full court. Isaiah Collier takes the game-tying three attempt, misses.
Magic win 120-117.
Hugely successful game for the Jazz: proof of concept with Markkanen/JJJ, and still an L in the standings.
Magic win 120-117.
Hugely successful game for the Jazz: proof of concept with Markkanen/JJJ, and still an L in the standings.
Extremely dramatic stuff: there are about 8 Jazz players that would prefer the Jazz win this game, the OKC fanbase and front office, and that's about it. And yet: the Jazz lead by two. Orlando to the FT line. 55 seconds left.
February 8, 2026 at 2:28 AM
Extremely dramatic stuff: there are about 8 Jazz players that would prefer the Jazz win this game, the OKC fanbase and front office, and that's about it. And yet: the Jazz lead by two. Orlando to the FT line. 55 seconds left.
The thing is... even if you try to tank, you may not necessarily be able to do it. Jazz still have a 3-pt lead, 3:37 left, Flip to the FT line. I also do not think this is the very worst Jazz lineup they can put out there.
February 8, 2026 at 2:22 AM
The thing is... even if you try to tank, you may not necessarily be able to do it. Jazz still have a 3-pt lead, 3:37 left, Flip to the FT line. I also do not think this is the very worst Jazz lineup they can put out there.
Jazz have lost the 17-point lead without a Will Hardy timeout... Markkanen and JJJ yet to check in at the 6:30 mark 4Q... I think we're witnessing a tank.
February 8, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Jazz have lost the 17-point lead without a Will Hardy timeout... Markkanen and JJJ yet to check in at the 6:30 mark 4Q... I think we're witnessing a tank.
Filipowski gets his first minutes of the game in the 4Q... either Will is experimenting with new lineups or Jazz are going to try to tank this one out
February 8, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Filipowski gets his first minutes of the game in the 4Q... either Will is experimenting with new lineups or Jazz are going to try to tank this one out
Jazz up to a 92-77 lead on a JJJ three... he has 22 points, 5 reb, 3 stl and is a +14 so far in his first game with the team.
February 8, 2026 at 1:51 AM
Jazz up to a 92-77 lead on a JJJ three... he has 22 points, 5 reb, 3 stl and is a +14 so far in his first game with the team.
The Jazz have committed some really bad turnovers this game, especially in the backcourt... 15 total. Other than that the offense has been very good.
But defense is what stands out so far... Jazz have a 98 DRtg right now tonight.
But defense is what stands out so far... Jazz have a 98 DRtg right now tonight.
February 8, 2026 at 1:38 AM
The Jazz have committed some really bad turnovers this game, especially in the backcourt... 15 total. Other than that the offense has been very good.
But defense is what stands out so far... Jazz have a 98 DRtg right now tonight.
But defense is what stands out so far... Jazz have a 98 DRtg right now tonight.
Jazz say Keyonte George will not return tonight (right ankle sprain).
February 8, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Jazz say Keyonte George will not return tonight (right ankle sprain).
Isaiah Collier starting the half for Keyonte George, who remains in the locker room.
February 8, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Isaiah Collier starting the half for Keyonte George, who remains in the locker room.
Jazz up 65-54 on the Magic at the half. Markkanen (21 points) & JJJ (17 points) look absolutely terrific, Isaiah Collier playing well too (7p/6a/0to).
John Konchar made an impact in his six minutes. Right now, Vince Williams, Kyle Filipowski and Svi Mykhailiuk out of rotation.
John Konchar made an impact in his six minutes. Right now, Vince Williams, Kyle Filipowski and Svi Mykhailiuk out of rotation.
February 8, 2026 at 1:14 AM
Jazz up 65-54 on the Magic at the half. Markkanen (21 points) & JJJ (17 points) look absolutely terrific, Isaiah Collier playing well too (7p/6a/0to).
John Konchar made an impact in his six minutes. Right now, Vince Williams, Kyle Filipowski and Svi Mykhailiuk out of rotation.
John Konchar made an impact in his six minutes. Right now, Vince Williams, Kyle Filipowski and Svi Mykhailiuk out of rotation.
Keyonte George actually tried to come back in there after the timeout, but the Jazz weren't having it. Isaiah Collier in, George back to the locker room.
February 8, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Keyonte George actually tried to come back in there after the timeout, but the Jazz weren't having it. Isaiah Collier in, George back to the locker room.
Keyonte George down. I think just an ankle sprain. It's his right foot, not the left one he sprained last week.
February 8, 2026 at 1:06 AM
Keyonte George down. I think just an ankle sprain. It's his right foot, not the left one he sprained last week.
That was a *weird* challenge from Hardy... even Ace knew he fouled him
February 8, 2026 at 12:55 AM
That was a *weird* challenge from Hardy... even Ace knew he fouled him
Both alley-oops to Markkanen have looked like incredible plays and I can't tell if it's because I'm sitting baseline here in Orlando and I'm not used to this angle or they really were incredible plays
February 8, 2026 at 12:44 AM
Both alley-oops to Markkanen have looked like incredible plays and I can't tell if it's because I'm sitting baseline here in Orlando and I'm not used to this angle or they really were incredible plays
Was talking about this with a player tonight... Jazz have remaining:
- Memphis twice
- Milwaukee twice
- Pelicans three times
- Portland twice (lost 6 in a row)
- Sacramento twice
- Wizards twice
There are going to be some generational tank decisions on display for the next 2 months
- Memphis twice
- Milwaukee twice
- Pelicans three times
- Portland twice (lost 6 in a row)
- Sacramento twice
- Wizards twice
There are going to be some generational tank decisions on display for the next 2 months
The degree to which we’re about to disrespect the league is going to go down in the history books. I could see us racking up like 2m in fines for how much we’re about to rest JJJ.
February 6, 2026 at 3:42 AM
Was talking about this with a player tonight... Jazz have remaining:
- Memphis twice
- Milwaukee twice
- Pelicans three times
- Portland twice (lost 6 in a row)
- Sacramento twice
- Wizards twice
There are going to be some generational tank decisions on display for the next 2 months
- Memphis twice
- Milwaukee twice
- Pelicans three times
- Portland twice (lost 6 in a row)
- Sacramento twice
- Wizards twice
There are going to be some generational tank decisions on display for the next 2 months
Bailey misses the last shot, and Hawks squeaaaaaak out the win — the meekest bird caw-caw of a squeak you ever did hear.
Isaiah Collier: 25 points, 11 assists, 48 minutes again. First player in a decade.
Ace Bailey had 20 points, albeit on 9-26 FG. Markkanen: 18 points, DNP 4Q.
Isaiah Collier: 25 points, 11 assists, 48 minutes again. First player in a decade.
Ace Bailey had 20 points, albeit on 9-26 FG. Markkanen: 18 points, DNP 4Q.
February 6, 2026 at 2:58 AM
Bailey misses the last shot, and Hawks squeaaaaaak out the win — the meekest bird caw-caw of a squeak you ever did hear.
Isaiah Collier: 25 points, 11 assists, 48 minutes again. First player in a decade.
Ace Bailey had 20 points, albeit on 9-26 FG. Markkanen: 18 points, DNP 4Q.
Isaiah Collier: 25 points, 11 assists, 48 minutes again. First player in a decade.
Ace Bailey had 20 points, albeit on 9-26 FG. Markkanen: 18 points, DNP 4Q.
Ace Bailey game-tying three, then NAW go ahead 2! Timeout Jazz, down 2, 1.3 seconds left.
February 6, 2026 at 2:55 AM
Ace Bailey game-tying three, then NAW go ahead 2! Timeout Jazz, down 2, 1.3 seconds left.
This is wildly embarrassing for the Hawks holy cow
February 6, 2026 at 2:46 AM
This is wildly embarrassing for the Hawks holy cow
I will admit: I am rooting for foul trouble and overtime chaos.
February 6, 2026 at 2:35 AM
I will admit: I am rooting for foul trouble and overtime chaos.
Huuuuge cheers in this building as the Ace-Collier-Ace alley-oop fast break unfolds. Both of those guys are from Atlanta and there are a ton of their fans here tonight.
February 6, 2026 at 2:04 AM
Huuuuge cheers in this building as the Ace-Collier-Ace alley-oop fast break unfolds. Both of those guys are from Atlanta and there are a ton of their fans here tonight.
Hawks up 61-60 at the half. Hawks went on a 18-5 run there to end the half, before that, the Jazz were playing pretty well, esp. defensively. I remain enthralled by Isaiah Collier's chase for 96 minutes in two games
February 6, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Hawks up 61-60 at the half. Hawks went on a 18-5 run there to end the half, before that, the Jazz were playing pretty well, esp. defensively. I remain enthralled by Isaiah Collier's chase for 96 minutes in two games
Collier would be the first Jazz player to play 48 minutes two RS games in a row since Adrian Dantley in 1982. 1982! Jerry Sloan never even did this.
Collier does have three fouls now, but Will is keeping him in the game anyway.
Collier does have three fouls now, but Will is keeping him in the game anyway.
February 6, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Collier would be the first Jazz player to play 48 minutes two RS games in a row since Adrian Dantley in 1982. 1982! Jerry Sloan never even did this.
Collier does have three fouls now, but Will is keeping him in the game anyway.
Collier does have three fouls now, but Will is keeping him in the game anyway.
Is Isaiah Collier going to play all 48 minutes again?
February 6, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Is Isaiah Collier going to play all 48 minutes again?
Cody Williams with two consecutive pretty spectacular blocks — his defensive playmaking effort has really improved in recent weeks.
February 6, 2026 at 12:58 AM
Cody Williams with two consecutive pretty spectacular blocks — his defensive playmaking effort has really improved in recent weeks.
Eight players in warmups for the Jazz: the seven who played vs. IND + Oscar Tshiebwe.
February 6, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Eight players in warmups for the Jazz: the seven who played vs. IND + Oscar Tshiebwe.