The Utah Jazz might be getting a little help up front when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
Tony Bradley is the name to watch on Utah’s first injury report for the team’s 2026-27 home opener at the Delta Center. The big man, who joined the Jazz off waivers last week after being cut by the New York Knicks, missed Utah’s season opener against the Memphis Grizzlies because of a quad injury. He was previously ruled out for Wednesday, but now he’s been upgraded to questionable ahead of tip-off.
That doesn’t lock him into the lineup, but it does give the Jazz some hope they could have extra size available in the rotation. Utah was beaten badly on the glass in its first game, getting outrebounded 55-38 by Memphis, so Bradley’s status matters if the Jazz want a better answer inside against New Orleans.
The rest of Utah’s report is less encouraging. Jusuf Nurkic remains out with a foot injury, and two-way signees Trey Alexander and Harrison Ingram have also been ruled out because they’re on assignment in the G League. Kobe Bufkin, Utah’s newest two-way addition, has not been ruled out before game time, so there’s at least a slim chance he could also make his season debut depending on how things unfold.
New Orleans, meanwhile, arrives in Salt Lake City with everyone available, including Zion Williamson. That’s notable on its own given he’s been available in less than 47% of his possible appearances over the past five years.
Williamson already looked sharp in his season debut Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers, even though the Pelicans lost. He logged 32 minutes and finished with 22 points, three rebounds and three assists, while hitting two three-pointers - more than he made all of last season combined.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. MT at the Delta Center.
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Keyonte George has already helped set the tone for the return trip home, sounding eager to get back in front of Utah fans and embracing the boost that comes with playing at the Delta Center. For a Jazz team trying to reset quickly after the opener, the homecoming offers an early chance to show that the better health and sharper readiness the group talked about can carry over once the building starts filling up again. [Read more 🡒]
