The 2026-27 season has not gone the way Utah Jazz fans expected. To start the season 1-5 hurts fans enough. The team either struggles to score or defend, and to add even more salt to Jazz Nation’s wounds, a tragedy struck at the Delta Center.
In a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 26, Jaren Jackson Jr. tore his right MCL. One small sequence changed Utah’s season outlook. Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome did what many NBA players like to do: go for a shot and foul.
After feeling contact, Jerome fell and, unbeknownst to him, Jackson Jr. also occupied his falling space. He hit into the forward’s ankle, buckling his knee. An injury of this magnitude marks a major setback for Utah. To make matters worse, Lauri Markkanen also sprained his wrist in that same game.
Before the season started, fans and Utah media alike felt comfortable that the Jazz would make the playoffs. With so many injuries, those hopes are now dashed, with one of their best players out. However, there’s still hope for the Play-In, but a lot has to go Utah’s way.
Time to Grow Up
If the Jazz want to make the Play-In, young players like Ace Bailey and Darryn Peterson need to step up. Bailey and Peterson had the luxury of developing behind Markkanen and Jackson Jr. Now that both players are out (Jackson longer than Markkanen), the Jazz need both players’ skills to win games.
Both Bailey (17.6 ppg) and Peterson (20.2 ppg) averaged double digits in points scoring at the college level. With Utah’s bench struggling to score, the rookies must make up for the lack of point production. In a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 28, Bailey and Peterson combined for 37 points. Their offensive skill continues to translate to the league, but the rookies need to help the team defensively.
Bailey showcased his defensive ability since the preseason. Once the regular season began, the forward now ranks fourth in team defensive rating. Peterson himself ranks seventh in team defensive rating. Teammates Jaxson Hayes and Mo Bamba man the paint and have given the Jazz ample amounts of chances to win. To at least get on a win streak, both players must lock down the perimeter.
A Veteran’s Fury
If the Jazz are to survive this long list of injuries, Markkanen (when he returns) and Keyonte George must carry a huge offensive load. Last season, when the front office wasn’t trying to tank, these two alone won Utah games.
They proved this in the double-overtime win against the Chicago Bulls on Nov. 16, 2025. The Finnisher scored 47 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and stole two; Key added 33 points, six assists, and hit the game-winning shot.
Another Player Acquisition
December is fast approaching, and that means one thing: make a trade. The Jazz must get aggressive in the trade market. Utah’s bench offensive rating ranks fifteenth in the league. Some fans could argue that if the Jazz had produced a bit more from their bench, they would’ve won their games against the Spurs (Oct. 28) and Grizzlies (Oct. 26).
The Jazz could look into bringing back Kris Dunn from the Los Angeles Clippers. He’s a defensive-minded guard who could help the rookies learn execution. Even Rui Hachimura could provide a huge spark off the bench and veteran leadership.
Utah needs a center, but many players at that position are hard to come by right now. So, they’ll need patience on that front. Trading for someone early has sparked the Jazz before. At the start of an epic win streak, Utah acquired Jae Crowder on Feb. 8, 2018. His impact was immediate, providing tough-nosed defense and lots of scoring.
Crowder’s impact on the Jazz not only helped them win a playoff series but become a fan favorite as well.
Can They Survive?
The short answer: yes, the Jazz can survive this setback. However, it will take a lot to get things back on track. First, Markkanen needs to come back, and the team needs to figure out how to win. They’ve been close for three straight games after beating the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 23.
The players are getting better; they just need to string together a few wins to hover around .500 until reinforcements arrive. Jusuf Nurkic’s November return date inches closer, and fans can expect Jackson Jr. around the New Year.
The time for tanking ends now; the Jazz don’t own this year’s pick, and the young guns need to learn what competitive NBA basketball looks like. It’s time to see Coach Will Hardy and this roster produce winning results the fans can get behind.
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