Short-Handed Jazz Pull Off Gritty Win Behind Isaiah Collier’s 48-Minute Masterclass
Trade deadline week in the NBA always gets weird - mismatched rosters, unexpected rotations, and lineups that leave fans double-checking who's actually available. But what the Utah Jazz pulled off Tuesday night in Indiana? That was next-level.
Rolling with just seven active players, the Jazz gutted out a 131-122 win over the Pacers in a game that felt more like a summer league showcase than a midseason matchup. Illness, injuries, and a blockbuster trade earlier in the day left Utah scrambling to field a squad - but they didn’t just survive. They thrived.
A Trade Leaves the Cupboard Bare
Let’s start with the context. The Jazz had agreed to send Taylor Hendricks, Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, and the injured Georges Niang to Memphis in a deal that will bring in All-Star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. That’s a significant shake-up, and it left the team in Indiana severely depleted.
Add in Keyonte George (ankle sprain), Kevin Love (illness), Jusuf Nurkic (rest), and all their two-way players being with the G League’s Salt Lake City Stars, and head coach Will Hardy was working with a skeleton crew. Seven players suited up. That’s it.
Isaiah Collier: All Gas, No Breaks
With options limited, Hardy turned to rookie point guard Isaiah Collier and handed him the keys - for the entire game.
Literally.
Collier played all 48 minutes, and he didn’t just hold the wheel - he drove the Jazz to a win with a performance that blended poise, pace, and precision. He finished with 17 points, 22 assists, and just two turnovers. That’s not just impressive for a rookie - that’s elite for anyone.
“Zay picked his spots,” Hardy said postgame. “It wasn’t all one thing.
His transition stuff has always been really high-level. But then the half court - some drive-and-kick, he found Flip in the pocket a bunch, hit Lauri in the pocket, read sprint slips very well. ...
Overall, he showed a lot of poise and maturity as a point guard."
This wasn’t just about the numbers. It was about the control.
Collier orchestrated everything - pushing the tempo when the moment called for it, slowing things down when needed, and keeping everyone involved. That kind of floor general performance is rare, especially from a young player thrust into a high-responsibility role on the fly.
Everyone Chips In
Collier’s command of the offense set the table for a balanced scoring effort. All seven players hit double figures, with Lauri Markkanen leading the way with 27 points. Ace Bailey and Cody Williams both logged 40 minutes apiece, grinding through the kind of heavy workload that’s usually reserved for playoff games - not February road trips.
It’s easy to overlook the effort it takes to compete at a high level with such a short rotation, but the Jazz didn’t just hang in there. They executed. They moved the ball, they stayed aggressive, and they found ways to get stops when they needed them most.
Help Is on the Way
The reinforcements are coming. Jaren Jackson Jr. - the centerpiece of the trade - will join the Jazz soon, along with John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr.
Physicals and travel logistics are still being sorted out, so the exact timeline is up in the air. But this group won’t be this thin for long.
In the meantime, Utah continues its five-game road trip with stops in Atlanta, Orlando, and Miami. And if Tuesday night was any indication, this team has no plans to fold under pressure - no matter how short-handed they might be.
This was a win that showed grit, cohesion, and a whole lot of heart. And thanks to Isaiah Collier’s full-game clinic at the point, it was also a reminder that sometimes, seven is enough.