The Utah Jazz gave their fans something to cheer about last night - not just a win over the Dallas Mavericks, but a glimpse into what the future of this franchise might actually look like. And here’s the kicker: they did it with the kids.
In a season where the Jazz have often leaned on veterans like Jusuf Nurkic and Svi Mykhailiuk - a decision that’s raised more than a few eyebrows - this game was a clear pivot. Utah rested Nurkic and gave Kyle Filipowski the start at center.
Mykhailiuk was a healthy scratch, opening the door for Brice Sensabaugh to slot in at shooting guard. It was a night where development took center stage, and the young core got a real shot to show what they’re made of.
And they delivered.
Let’s be clear - not every performance was perfect. Sensabaugh had a rough go, but that’s part of the process.
You live with growing pains when you’re investing in potential. The bigger story was Filipowski, who turned in his best performance of the season.
Cody Williams and Taylor Hendricks both looked sharp - more assertive, more confident, and more in sync with the pace of the game. And Isaiah Collier held things down as the backup point guard, playing within himself and keeping the offense moving.
This wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. The Jazz didn’t just beat a playoff-caliber team.
They did it while giving their youth real, meaningful minutes. That’s the kind of development that matters.
It’s one thing to talk about building for the future. It’s another to actually hand the keys over and see what happens.
Of course, the foundation of this win still came from the usual suspects. Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George continued to do what they’ve done all season - lead with poise and production.
At this point, that’s expected. But when the supporting cast of young players steps up like they did, it changes the conversation around this team.
It’s nights like these that validate why fans have been calling for more minutes for the rookies and second-year guys. And it gives the front office more reason to lean into that youth movement as the season progresses.
But let’s not sugarcoat things - there’s still a glaring issue that isn’t going away.
The defense is a problem.
Even in a win, Utah’s inability to string together consistent stops remains a red flag. Offensively, the pieces are there.
There’s talent, there’s spacing, and there’s a clear identity forming. But on the other end of the floor, things are far less settled.
Without Walker Kessler anchoring the paint, the Jazz struggled to contain drives and protect the rim. And even with Kessler, we’ve seen that one elite rim protector isn’t enough to carry an entire defense - just ask anyone who watched the Rudy Gobert era.
If Utah wants to take the next step - not just toward playoff contention, but toward building a sustainable, two-way team - they’ll need more than just offensive firepower. They’ll need wings who can switch, guards who can stay in front of their man, and a team-wide commitment to defense that simply hasn’t materialized yet.
With the trade deadline looming, don’t be surprised if the Jazz look to bring in more defensive-minded players - and ideally, ones who fit their timeline. Young, athletic, defense-first guys who can grow with this core and help shape the identity of this team on both ends of the floor.
For now, though, this win is a breath of fresh air. It’s a reminder of what this team could be if they trust their youth and commit to development.
There’s still a long way to go, and plenty of questions to answer. But if last night was any indication, the Jazz might be starting to ask the right ones.