On Saturday, Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Utah Jazz began getting to know each other.
From the Jazz’s side, the team learned just how impactful Jackson can be on both ends of the court, to the tune of 22 points (9-17 FG), five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Meanwhile, Jackson learned about his new team, playing well off of Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and Isaiah Collier. He also learned the harsh reality of their situation for the rest of the 2025-26 season: They’re trying to lose games. Both Jackson and Markkanen sat the entire fourth quarter, allowing the Magic to come back from a 17-point deficit and win 120-117.
It was, from the point of view of those rooting for the Jazz’s 2026-27 future and beyond, the perfect game: both promising play while the Jazz’s best players were in the game, and a loss to push the Jazz’s 2026 draft pick higher.
The Jazz began Saturday with a literal walk in the park — a morning walk with the entire team as coach Will Hardy tried to get his new team acclimated with each other off the court.
“They thought that the message they got about us doing a walk this morning was actually going to be a walkthrough (of the team’s strategy),” Hardy said. “So they were shocked when we actually just sort of took off for a 25-minute walk as a group, just trying to get outside, get out of the hotel. This is the fourth city of this trip, and we had some great weather this morning.”
The walk seemed effective. Jackson said he felt “embraced” by the team early on, as well as his coach.
“He’s just getting to know me, I’m getting to know him, and we’re seeing how we can build this thing into something beautiful,” Jackson said. “It’s been good conversations.”
That led to some early chemistry. Jackson said his teammates, especially Markkanen and George, “made the game easy, offensively and defensively.” Jackson and George continued talking for a long time after the game as well, with their lockers being next to one another’s.
“They just gave me confidence to be myself on both ends,” Jackson said. “It felt great.”
The defense also was at the Jazz’s highest level of the season — at least, for the three quarters in which the Jazz played Markkanen and Jackson. It’s an area of the game he thinks he can make an impact on not just personally, but within the other four defenders on the team as well. How?
“Talking. I think just being vocal, letting them hear your voice, understand what they’re not seeing. Because guards are at the top of the three-point line, they can’t really see behind them,” Jackson said. “So you can’t really blame them if they’re not calling out the screen, if you’re not telling them certain things.”
Hardy was especially happy with limiting the Magic to just 28 points in the paint through three quarters.
Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) is fouled by Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, left, while going up to shoot, as center Jaren Jackson Jr. (20) helps defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jackson also seemed to have an influence on Markkanen’s ability to get open on the offensive end, with the latter getting five dunks during the game and a total of 27 points in his 27 minutes.
“Teams are going to have some hard choices to make in terms of what the matchups are,” Hardy said. “I think those two are actually a great pairing on both sides of the floor.”
Two other players from the trade with the Memphis Grizzlies made their debut on Saturday night: John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr. Williams didn’t play in the first half, but after George sprained his ankle — it’s not expected to be a serious injury — the 25-year-old played backup point guard for the Jazz in the second half.
Meanwhile, Konchar played 18 minutes, and provided his typical game. When asked what he wants Jazz fans to know about what he brings on the court, he said that he’s “just a defensive-minded guard. I make the open three. Just big-time defense.”
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) loses control of the ball as Utah Jazz forward John Konchar (55) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
All of the promise is getting those around the Jazz anxious about the future. Yes, as the 37-year-old veteran and former NBA champion Kevin Love noted, “there’s no secret about what’s at stake” for the remainder of the 2025-26 season — the Jazz need to keep their top-8 protected pick that would otherwise go to Oklahoma City. The Jazz went to extreme lengths to lose this one, including some using some of their least effective lineups in the fourth quarter.
But after the tanking period is over?
“Having that type of size in the league is such a luxury. Being able to play several different ways is such a luxury as well,” Love said.
“There’s focus on the future and a focus on what it’s going to look like from here on out, because it really is an exciting time for Jazz basketball and Jazz fans.”
For now, the promise requires patience.
