Isaiah Collier Shines as Jazz Youth Movement Gains Momentum
If the Utah Jazz are supposed to be tanking, someone forgot to tell Isaiah Collier.
With their 2026 first-round pick heading to the Oklahoma City Thunder unless it lands in the top eight, the Jazz have every reason-on paper-to slide down the standings. But what unfolded in their 131-122 win over the short-handed Indiana Pacers told a very different story.
This wasn’t a team going through the motions. And Collier?
He played like a man on a mission.
With Utah’s roster thinned out after a blockbuster deal for Jaren Jackson Jr., and with Keyonte George and Jusuf Nurkic sidelined, head coach Will Hardy leaned heavily on his rookie guard. And by heavily, we mean all 48 minutes.
That’s right-Collier played every second of the game. No breathers, no breaks.
Just a full-on showcase of what the 19-year-old can do when handed the keys.
And he delivered.
Collier posted 17 points, 22 assists, and three steals, slicing through the Pacers’ defense like a seasoned vet. He wasn’t just filling in-he was orchestrating.
His court vision was on full display, threading passes through tight windows and keeping the offense humming. It was the kind of performance that makes you sit up a little straighter and wonder: *Is this kid ahead of schedule?
Statistically, Collier made history. He became the youngest player in NBA history to dish out at least 22 assists in a single game.
Let that sink in. And for Jazz fans, there’s some nostalgia in the mix too-he’s the first Utah player to log 15+ points and 20+ assists in a game since Deron Williams did it back in 2008.
That’s rare air.
But this wasn’t just about one breakout performance. It’s about what’s building in Salt Lake City.
The trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. signaled that the Jazz aren’t content to sit on their hands and wait for a rebuild to come together organically. They’re accelerating the timeline. Pairing Jackson with Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler gives Utah a dynamic, versatile frontcourt that can defend, stretch the floor, and play inside-out.
Keyonte George, when healthy, has been flirting with All-Star level production. His growth this season has been one of the more encouraging developments for the franchise. And now, with Collier stepping into the spotlight, the Jazz are starting to look like a team with real depth and upside.
Throw in contributions from fellow young players like Kyle Filipowski and Brice Sensabaugh, and you’ve got a core that’s not just talented, but hungry. These aren’t guys waiting for their turn-they’re taking it.
So while some teams are jostling for draft position, the Jazz are doing something a little different. They’re building something.
And if Collier’s performance is any indication, they might be ahead of schedule. The play-in tournament isn’t just a pipe dream-it’s a real possibility.
Utah might not be tanking. They might be turning the corner.