The Utah Jazz nearly squandered their home opener but found a way to finish, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 120-119 Friday night at the Delta Center. The victory marked the Jazz’s first win of the season after a disappointing loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in their opener on Wednesday.
Utah coach Will Hardy made a notable change to his starting lineup, inserting second-year forward Ace Bailey in place of Jaxson Hayes. Bailey joined Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt, while Keyonte George and Darryn Peterson manned the backcourt. According to Hardy, the change was designed to improve defensive perimeter coverage and provide different offensive looks following the team’s struggles against the Grizzlies. “I think Ace gives us a huge lift,” Hardy said. The lineup adjustment allowed Hayes to move to the bench, where his chemistry with guard Isaiah Collier in pick-and-roll situations proved valuable.
The Jazz started strong, building a 15-point lead and holding a 62-52 halftime advantage. However, the third quarter proved disastrous. Utah committed eight turnovers and seven fouls while New Orleans shot 60 percent from deep. Poor defensive rotations and an inability to keep the Pelicans out of the paint erased the lead, allowing the visitors to take a 90-86 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Hayes delivered when the Jazz needed him most off the bench, finishing with 17 points and providing crucial plays around the rim in the fourth quarter. Hardy credited Hayes’ ability to protect the rim against Pelicans star Zion Williamson and his rebounding as key factors in keeping him on the floor late in the game. “I felt like late in the game, trying to keep Zion off the rim and then rebounding was going to be our biggest deciding factor to win the game,” Hardy said.
Jaren Jackson Jr. also came up big down the stretch, finishing with 24 points and delivering important plays on both ends of the floor as Utah held on for the one-point victory. The win offered a glimpse of what the Jazz can achieve when different players step up at critical moments, though the team acknowledged defensive consistency remains a work in progress.
Key facts
- Utah Jazz defeated New Orleans Pelicans 120-119 Friday night at the Delta Center
- The win was the Jazz’s first of the season after losing to Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday
- Coach Will Hardy started Ace Bailey instead of Jaxson Hayes to improve perimeter defense
- The Jazz blew a 15-point lead in the third quarter but rallied in the fourth
- Jaxson Hayes scored 17 points off the bench; Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 24 points
- New Orleans shot 60 percent from three-point range in the third quarter