Eric Walden

Jazz beat writer

Eric is a West Valley City native and a graduate of Granger High School and the University of Utah who joined The Tribune in 2003. He hoards rescue cats and guinea pigs, reads historical fiction, watches British baking shows, and obsesses over 1980s hair-metal bands in his spare time.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) is introduced before the start of the game alongside Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) before their game against the Sacramento Kings, NBA basketball in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.

Donovan Mitchell could return this weekend, but Rudy Gobert’s status is more iffy

By Eric Walden | January 27, 2022, 5:10 a.m.

Utah Jazz guard Jared Butler (13) shoots around Phoenix Suns forward Bismack Biyombo (18) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

‘You do it, you win’: Utah Jazz’s usual reserves make a point about effort in hard-fought loss to Suns

By Eric Walden | January 25, 2022, 6:28 a.m.

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, left, shoots against Golden State Warriors forward Nemanja Bjelica (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Late injuries to Rudy Gobert, Bojan Bogdanovic loom over Utah Jazz’s loss to Warriors

By Eric Walden | January 24, 2022, 6:07 a.m.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Eric Paschall (0) as the Utah Jazz host the Denver Nuggets, NBA basketball in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021.

Eric Paschall is ready to play — whenever that may happen to be

By Eric Walden | January 23, 2022, 1:00 p.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) celebrates a three pointer as the Utah Jazz host the Sacramento Kings, NBA basketball in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.

How ’Bout This Jazz newsletter: Who’s the best shooter on the Utah Jazz?

By Eric Walden | January 23, 2022, 1:00 p.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) muscles through Detroit Pistons guard Cory Joseph (18) and Detroit Pistons forward Kelly Olynyk (13) in NBA action between the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022.

Is Rudy Gobert’s big night an indication the Jazz are learning how to punish teams that go small?

By Eric Walden | January 22, 2022, 7:31 p.m.

(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) looks back to Houston Rockets center Christian Wood (35) who sunk a 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter as the Utah Jazz host the Houston Rockets at Vivint Arena, Jan. 18, 2022.

‘Not worried at all’: Utah Jazz profess stoicism after latest meltdown

By Eric Walden | January 21, 2022, 12:07 a.m.

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers guard Avery Bradley (20) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. The Lakers won 101-95. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Utah Jazz swap out negative narratives in off-kilter loss to Lakers

By Eric Walden | January 18, 2022, 6:08 p.m.

Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton, front, looks to pass the ball as Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Utah Jazz’s skid-busting win summed up: ‘Focus and pride on the defensive end’

By Eric Walden | January 17, 2022, 6:28 a.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates a big shot by Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) in NBA action between the Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021.

Donovan Mitchell, Jordan Clarkson respond to Rudy Gobert’s ‘winning habits’ comment

By Eric Walden | January 15, 2022, 8:57 p.m.