Svi Mykhailiuk Ignites Late, But Jazz Fall Short Against Blazers in High-Scoring Battle
SALT LAKE CITY - For a moment in the fourth quarter, it looked like Svi Mykhailiuk might write his own chapter in Jazz lore. After three straight DNPs, the Ukrainian sharpshooter came off the bench and lit up the Delta Center, pouring in 14 points in the final frame.
He gave Utah fans a jolt of hope, slashing a 17-point deficit down to six and forcing a timeout from Portland. But despite the surge, the Jazz couldn’t get enough stops down the stretch and ultimately fell to the Trail Blazers, 135-119.
Head coach Will Hardy didn’t mince words when praising Mykhailiuk’s readiness.
“There’s times he’s been a starter, there’s times he’s out of the rotation and he always handles himself with a ton of class; he’s always prepared,” Hardy said. “He’s a great teammate. We are lucky to have Svi in our organization.”
Mykhailiuk’s late-game heroics were part of a night that saw the Jazz lean heavily on their depth. With Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George sidelined, and Jaren Jackson Jr. ruled out indefinitely following knee surgery, Utah had to look deeper down the bench - and a few young players answered the call.
Brice Sensabaugh Steps Up Again
Brice Sensabaugh continues to show why the Jazz are so high on his long-term potential. The rookie led Utah with 28 points, showcasing his shotmaking from all over the floor. Whether pulling up from deep or attacking off the dribble, Sensabaugh looked comfortable in a larger role.
“I started the year off a little slow,” he said. “But as of late just trying to be a consistent 3-point shooter for our team and just trying to contribute as much as possible to winning.”
Sensabaugh’s confidence is growing - and so is his impact. With more minutes available due to injuries and roster changes, he’s making the most of every opportunity.
Blake Hinson Makes His NBA Debut
Another bright spot for Utah came in the form of Blake Hinson, who made his NBA debut after signing a two-way deal with the Jazz. The former Rip City Remix standout - Portland’s G League affiliate - chipped in 11 points and showed why he earned the call-up.
“I thought Blake showed a ton of physicality,” Hardy said. “Obviously, the ability to catch and shoot. He hasn’t had much time with us so I think he handled himself great - kept it pretty simple for most of the game.”
Hinson had been averaging 23.3 points, 5.1 boards, and 2.3 assists in the G League and earned a spot in the 2026 Next Up Game during All-Star Weekend. On Thursday, he didn’t look out of place in his first taste of NBA action.
Early Fireworks, Then Portland Took Over
The game started with Utah falling into an early 11-point hole, but the Jazz clawed back and actually held a lead at the end of the first quarter. Things got chippy in the second when Vince Williams Jr. was ejected after picking up two quick technicals following an offensive foul call. It appeared he and Portland’s Ryan Rupert got tangled up bringing the ball up the floor - and Williams didn’t like the whistle.
Even with Williams out, Utah stayed competitive thanks to Sensabaugh and solid contributions from Ace Bailey and Kyle Filipowski. Both rookies scored 15 points, with Bailey also pulling down eight rebounds and Filipowski adding nine boards of his own.
But the third quarter belonged to Portland.
The Blazers came out of halftime with a purpose, opening the second half on a 9-2 run that forced Hardy to burn a timeout. It didn’t stop the bleeding. Portland outscored Utah 40-23 in the third, turning a tight game into a 17-point cushion.
“I think we just came out a little too flat,” Sensabaugh admitted. “It’s been a theme for us in the past.”
Holiday and Clingan Lead the Way for Blazers
Veteran guard Jrue Holiday led the charge for Portland with a vintage performance. The two-time NBA champion dropped 31 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out seven assists, controlling the pace and making plays on both ends.
But the most dominant presence on the floor was center Donovan Clingan. The rookie big man bullied the Jazz inside, finishing with 23 points, a game-high 18 rebounds, and seven assists. His combination of size, touch, and vision gave Utah’s frontcourt fits all night.
A Spark, But Not Enough
Still, the Jazz made one last push in the fourth. That’s when Mykhailiuk came alive, hitting big shots, grabbing a steal, and converting in transition to cut the lead to six.
The building was buzzing. But Portland responded with timely buckets, and Utah’s defense couldn’t string together enough stops to complete the comeback.
“He was great for us tonight,” said Collier. “Hit big shots, got us back in the game, gave us a spark, gave us energy.”
It wasn’t the result the Jazz wanted heading into the All-Star break, but the effort - especially from the young core - gave fans something to be excited about.
Utah now gets a breather until Feb. 20, but fans won’t have to wait long to see some of their rising talent in action. Ace Bailey will represent the Jazz in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night (7 p.m. MST, Peacock), a fitting stage for a rookie who’s already making waves.
The loss may sting, but the flashes of growth are real - and the Jazz are clearly building something with their next generation.