Jazz Routed by Mavericks in Lopsided Matchup, But Young Core Shows Flashes
The Utah Jazz, already shorthanded and deep in developmental mode, were thoroughly outclassed in a 22-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks - a game that felt like it dragged on as long as the Jazz’s rebuilding timeline. With both teams hovering near the bottom of the standings and lottery implications looming, this wasn’t just a loss - it was a strategically useful one. And they get to run it back against Dallas again on Saturday.
Heading into the game, Dallas looked like a team trying to out-tank Utah, resting a slew of key players including Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and PJ Washington. But even without their top guys, the Mavericks had a clear stylistic advantage.
Utah came in ranked near the bottom of the league in defending the pick-and-roll, while Dallas runs one of the highest pick-and-roll frequencies in the NBA. That’s a bad matchup even on a good night - and this wasn’t one.
The Jazz were already without Jusuf Nurkic, Lauri Markkanen, and Walker Kessler, leaving their frontcourt thin and their interior defense exposed. Combine that with Dallas being one of the most disciplined teams in the league when it comes to avoiding fouls - they rank second in opponent free throw attempts - and Utah’s usual edge at the line (they’re top five in attempts) was neutralized. It all came down to whether Dallas could hit open shots - and against the Jazz, who allow the highest spot-up field goal percentage in the league, that was a good bet.
And hit shots they did.
Klay Thompson looked like vintage Klay, getting into a rhythm early and never looking back. He and Naji Marshall combined for nearly 50 points, torching Utah’s defense with a mix of movement shooting and straight-line drives. For a Dallas offense that’s ranked among the bottom three in the league, this was a get-right game - and they took full advantage.
Still, there were bright spots for Utah, especially among the young core.
Brice Sensabaugh continued his offensive surge, pouring in 27 points on efficient shooting. He’s becoming more and more comfortable as a primary option, showing poise with the ball in his hands and the ability to create his own shot. For a team in evaluation mode, Sensabaugh’s development has been one of the more encouraging storylines.
Ace Bailey had a well-rounded performance despite a tough shooting night (6-of-15 from the field). He finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks - a little bit of everything.
The shot wasn’t falling consistently, but the activity on both ends was there. These reps are invaluable for a rookie still finding his footing.
Cody Williams made his presence felt early with energy plays - running the floor, cutting hard, and even knocking down a catch-and-shoot three. His efficiency as a cutter has been quietly impressive; he ranks 39th in the league in points over expectation on cuts.
That’s not nothing. There’s still untapped potential in his game, especially as a playmaker.
He doesn’t turn the ball over much when he does pass, but with limited on-ball reps, it’s hard to get a full read on what kind of facilitator he could be. Right now, most of his touches come off spot-ups or quick drives, but there’s a case to be made for giving him more on-ball opportunities - or at the very least, continuing to leverage his cutting instincts more often.
One issue that continues to plague Utah’s young roster: turnovers. With the veterans resting, the offense often devolves into isolation-heavy possessions and forced drives. That lack of structure has translated into the Jazz averaging the fourth-most turnovers per game in the league - a number that reared its head again in this one.
Taylor Hendricks, meanwhile, remains a bit of an enigma. He’s working his way back from a leg injury suffered against these same Mavericks last season, and while the Jazz have said they’ll evaluate him more thoroughly in the second half of the season, the clock is ticking. He’s approaching 500 minutes played across 29 games, and the flashes are there - especially defensively.
Hendricks has quietly been a solid rim deterrent. Opponents are shooting 7.7% worse than expected when he contests shots at the rim - a strong indicator that he’s regaining his timing and defensive instincts. He may not be the explosive athlete he was before the injury, but he’s showing signs of becoming a viable backup center - a mobile big who can protect the paint and switch in spurts.
All things considered, this was a rough night on the scoreboard but a useful one in the bigger picture. The Jazz are leaning into development, and while that means growing pains - especially on defense - it also means opportunity. Sensabaugh, Bailey, Williams, and Hendricks all had moments that suggest this rebuild, while still in its early stages, has pieces worth watching.
They’ll get another crack at Dallas on Saturday. The result may not matter much in the standings, but for a young group trying to carve out roles and build chemistry, every minute counts.