Utah Jazz Get the Win-and a Glimpse of the Future-on a Wild Day of Change
February 3rd, 2026, was one for the books in Salt Lake City. By sunrise, the Jazz had shaken up the NBA landscape with a blockbuster trade that sent shockwaves across the league.
By sundown, they were tipping off against a depleted Pacers squad in a game that, on paper, felt more like a footnote than a headline. But if you looked a little closer, this wasn’t just a throwaway game-it was a window into what this young, evolving Utah team could become.
With three rotation players shipped out in the Memphis deal and two starters sidelined by illness or injury, the Jazz were down to a skeleton crew: just seven players saw the floor, the fewest they’ve used in any game this season. And yet, they walked out of Gainbridge Fieldhouse with a 131-122 win-and a handful of encouraging performances that could have long-term implications.
Let’s break it down.
Ace Bailey - A
This was the kind of game that reminds you why there’s so much buzz around Ace Bailey. He didn’t just show flashes-he showed layers.
His flexibility attacking the rim stood out, using his length and balance to finish through contact, and his defensive motor was humming from the jump. He knocked down threes with confidence, but the most promising sign?
Six free throw attempts. That’s as many as he had in the entire month of January.
That kind of aggression is exactly what you want to see from a young wing still learning the full scope of his off-ball role. The tools are there-and they’re sharp.
Isaiah Collier - A+
No, he didn’t suddenly become Steph Curry from deep. But when you set the NBA’s single-game assist record, you’re not just making noise-you’re making history.
Collier was in total command of the offense from start to finish. The passes weren’t flashy, but they were surgical: pocket passes in the pick-and-roll, corner kick-outs off drives, and transition hit-aheads that led to easy buckets.
He played all 48 minutes and never looked rushed, never looked rattled. This was a statement game-not just about what he is now, but what he could become as the Jazz’s lead guard of the future.
Kyle Filipowski - A-
The sophomore big man played like he knew what the team needed from him-and delivered. With the rotation thinned out, Filipowski stepped up and embraced the role of a true center.
In the first half, he was arguably the best player on the floor, dominating the glass, moving well in pick-and-roll coverage, and keeping the offense flowing with smart passes. His physical limitations-shorter wingspan, lighter frame-showed a bit more in the second half as Indiana attacked the rim, but this was still one of his most assertive performances to date.
If he can keep rebounding like this, a future pairing with Jaren Jackson Jr. could be a problem for opposing frontcourts.
Lauri Markkanen - A-
Markkanen didn’t need to take over, and he didn’t try to. He played just 27 minutes-fewer than any of the young core-but still dropped an efficient 27 points, getting to his spots with ease against an undermanned Pacers defense.
He had a strong stretch in the third quarter where he reminded everyone he’s still the guy on this roster, but mostly he let the kids cook. It was a veteran performance in the best sense: steady, efficient, and unselfish.
Svi Mykhailiuk - B+
Svi did what Svi does-space the floor, move off the ball, and knock down open looks. He poured in an efficient 18 points and played his role to perfection.
He’s not going to wow you with highlight plays, but his presence helps the younger players thrive. He doesn’t demand touches, doesn’t overhandle, and he competes on defense.
On a night when the spotlight was on the youth movement, Svi was the kind of veteran you want in the foxhole-reliable and supportive.
Brice Sensabaugh - A-
The defense was shaky at times, but the offensive versatility was on full display. Sensabaugh showed off a passing bag that doesn’t always get the credit it deserves.
His high school tape hinted at it, and tonight it came through in flashes-clever reads, accurate deliveries, and an understanding of how to leverage his scoring gravity to create for others. As the roster takes shape post-trade, that kind of secondary playmaking could be a sneaky-important development for this team.
Cody Williams - B
There were stretches where Cody faded into the background, but when he popped, he popped. A couple of strong defensive stands in the first half, some heady passes in the second, and a general knack for being in the right place at the right time.
He played 40 minutes, and while it wasn’t a breakout game, it was the kind of extended run that young players need to test new skills and build confidence. The upside remains intriguing.
Keyonte George - A+ (Honorable Bench Mention)
No minutes, no problem-George was the most animated guy on the bench all night. He was up, engaged, and clearly having a blast supporting his teammates.
The highlight? A bit of good-natured trash talk aimed at Cody Williams for choosing a layup over a dunk in transition.
It’s the kind of chemistry you love to see from a young team still figuring out its identity. George didn’t play, but he showed he’s still very much part of the heartbeat of this group.
Final Takeaway
This wasn’t a game that will define the Jazz’s season. But it might be one we look back on as a sneak peek into what’s coming.
With a major trade reshaping the roster and a core of young talent getting extended minutes, Utah’s front office has clearly hit the accelerator on their rebuild. And if performances like this are any indication, there’s plenty to be excited about in Salt Lake City-now, and especially in the seasons to come.