If the NBA season ended today, the Utah Jazz would close the book on a year that quietly marked a turning point - not just in terms of numbers, but in the chemistry brewing between two key pieces of their future: Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George. The last time Utah had two players averaging 20 points per game was back in 2020-21, when Donovan Mitchell and Bojan Bogdanović were leading the charge. Fast forward to now, and this new duo is starting to carve out their own chapter - and it’s one that’s worth paying attention to.
What makes this pairing more than just a statistical footnote is how well they operate together. It’s not just that Markkanen is back to form after a down year, or that George is showing real flashes as a rookie.
It’s that when they share the floor, something clicks. In the 33 games they’ve played together, the Jazz are 14-19.
That record doesn’t jump off the page, but context matters - and the numbers under the hood tell a more compelling story.
According to data from PBPStats.com, Markkanen and George rank as the second-best two-man assist pairing in the league. That’s not a coincidence.
George has shown a knack for finding Markkanen in rhythm, on time and on target. That kind of synergy doesn’t happen overnight - it’s the product of reps, trust, and basketball IQ.
And it’s starting to show up in the moments that matter most.
Late-game execution has quietly become a strength for Utah, and the Markkanen-George combo is a big reason why. In clutch situations - defined as games within five points in the final five minutes - the Jazz have posted a 10-8 record and currently own the fifth-best net rating in the league in those scenarios.
That’s not just about talent; that’s about poise. And for a team still figuring out its identity, that’s a significant sign of growth.
Markkanen’s resurgence this season has been a steady drumbeat. After a down year, he’s reestablished himself as a reliable offensive weapon and a foundational piece.
But what’s changed the equation is George. The rookie guard has stepped into a major role and hasn’t looked overwhelmed.
Instead, he’s finding his spots, making smart reads, and showing he can be the kind of guard who elevates the players around him - especially a versatile scorer like Markkanen.
Yes, the Jazz are still in the middle of a rebuild, and their overall record reflects that. But this isn’t a team floundering without direction.
This is a roster with a plan, and the Markkanen-George duo is central to it. Add in the upside of Ace Bailey and the expected return of Walker Kessler, and suddenly the Jazz aren’t just collecting talent - they’re starting to form a core.
The big question now is: how high is the ceiling? Can Markkanen and George become a top-tier tandem in the West?
Can they anchor a playoff-caliber offense? Those answers will come in time.
But for now, the Jazz have something real - a duo that works, a foundation that’s forming, and a future that’s starting to take shape.
In a season that could’ve been forgettable, Utah has found a reason to be optimistic. And that might be the most important win of all.