The Utah Jazz (7-13) head to Brooklyn to battle the Nets (5-16) on Thursday, December 4, 2025, in a matchup between two rebuilding squads desperate for consistency. Both teams sit near the bottom of their conferences—Utah 11th in the West, Brooklyn 13th in the East—amid injury woes and youth-driven lineups. The Jazz are riding a narrow win over the Houston Rockets (133-125) on Monday, where Lauri Markkanen dropped 29 points, but they’re mired in a four-game road skid and rank 29th in defensive rating (121.3 points allowed per 100 possessions). The Nets, meanwhile, notched back-to-back victories for the first time this season, including a 116-103 thumping of the Charlotte Hornets on Monday behind Michael Porter Jr.’s 35 points, but their offense remains the league’s worst (109.0 PPG). With key absences on both sides, this tilt could devolve into a high-scoring affair at Barclays Center, testing Brooklyn’s fragile home defense (1-9 record) against Utah’s perimeter attack.
Venue Location
The game unfolds at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Situated at 620 Atlantic Avenue in the Prospect Heights neighborhood, this 17,732-seat arena opened in 2012 as the anchor of the Atlantic Yards redevelopment project.
Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT)
Broadcast: KJZZ (Jazz local), YES Network (Nets local), NBA TV (national), and streaming on Fubo or NBA League Pass (out-of-market with blackouts).
Injury Report
Injuries have gutted both rosters, forcing heavy minutes for rookies and role players. Utah’s frontcourt is depleted without Kessler, while Brooklyn’s backcourt lacks scoring punch sans Thomas. Latest updates as of Wednesday:
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details |
| Jazz | Walker Kessler | C | Out (Season) | Left shoulder surgery (torn labrum); out for 2025-26 after early November injury. |
| Jazz | Georges Niang | PF | Out | Left foot fracture; re-evaluation in 10-14 days (out until at least Dec. 7). |
| Jazz | Kevin Love | PF | Out | Rest; managed minutes for veteran, out through Dec. 5. |
| Jazz | Jusuf Nurkic | C | Questionable | Right rib contusion; played limited minutes Monday but listed day-to-day. |
| Jazz | Keyonte George | SG | Questionable | Illness; averaged 22.8 PPG but missed recent practice. |
| Jazz | Elijah Harkless | SF | Out | G League assignment; not elevated for game. |
| Jazz | Taylor Hendricks | PF | Out | G League assignment. |
| Jazz | John Tonje | SF | Out | G League assignment. |
| Jazz | Oscar Tshiebwe | PF | Out | G League assignment/illness. |
| Nets | Cam Thomas | SG | Out | Left hamstring strain; re-evaluation in 3-4 weeks (out until mid-Dec.). |
| Nets | Terance Mann | SG | Out | Right rib soreness; missed last two games, out through Dec. 4. |
| Nets | Haywood Highsmith | SF | Out | Knee swelling during rehab; re-evaluation in eight weeks. |
| Nets | Ben Simmons | PG | Questionable | Left knee contusion; limited practice, uncertain for back-to-back. |
| Nets | Noah Clowney | PF | Questionable | Ankle tweak; 18 points vs. Hornets but hobbled late. |
Utah may lean on Markkanen and rookies like Ace Bailey at center if Nurkic sits. Brooklyn’s rotation thins without Thomas, elevating Porter Jr. and Egor Demin.
Player Matchups
Star absences spotlight emerging talents and veterans. Key battles:
Lauri Markkanen (Jazz) vs. Mikal Bridges (Nets)
Markkanen’s scoring versatility (28.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 45.4% FG) clashes with Bridges’ elite defense (1.5 SPG, holds opponents to 42.1% FG). Markkanen torched for 29 vs. Houston; Bridges averaged 13.6 PPG lately but shines in isolation (top-10 DRTG). In two prior meetings, Markkanen outscored Bridges 52-27. Edge: Markkanen—his pull-up game exploits Brooklyn’s 19th-ranked perimeter D.
Keyonte George (Jazz) vs. Egor Demin (Nets) (If George Plays)
George’s playmaking (22.8 PPG, 6.9 APG) tests Demin’s rookie poise (career-high 23 PTS vs. Philly). George leads Utah in assists but turns it over 3.7 times; Demin (8th overall pick) grabs 9 RPG but struggles vs. speed (1.1 SPG). Nets rank 25th in APG allowed (25.0). Edge: George—his 34.1 MPG and burst overwhelm Demin’s inexperience.
Nic Claxton (Nets) vs. Jusuf Nurkic/Ace Bailey (Jazz) (If Nurkic Plays)
Claxton’s rim protection (1.3 BPG, 7.5 RPG) meets Nurkic’s physicality (questionable, 9 RPG) or Bailey’s athleticism (rookie, 6.3 PPG). Claxton held bigs under 50% FG in wins; Jazz rank last in paint points allowed (49.2). Edge: Claxton—Brooklyn’s +7.5 rebound margin in recent victories shines here.
Team Records
Both teams embody rebuild struggles: Utah’s offense pops (12th in PPG at 118.5) but defense craters (29th in points allowed at 125.4); Brooklyn’s D is middling (19th at 117.7 allowed) but scoring bottoms out (30th at 109.0). Jazz are 6-6 at home but 1-7 on road; Nets are 1-9 at home and 4-7 away.
Recent Team Forms
Utah is 4-6 in its last 10, averaging 118.5 PPG but allowing 123.0 (+4.5 differential). Wins over Kings (128-119) and Rockets (133-125) show offensive firepower (13.4 3PM/game, 17th), but losses to Thunder (106-133) and Lakers (104-105) highlight road fragility (1-7 away).
Brooklyn is also 4-6 in last 10, posting 109.0 PPG while yielding 117.7 (-8.7 differential). Back-to-back triumphs (vs. Bulls 113-103, Hornets 116-103) end a skid, with Porter Jr. erupting (33+35 PTS), but earlier drubbings like vs. Bucks (99-116) expose turnover woes (15.2 TOPG, 20th).
| Last 10 Games | Record | PPG | OPP PPG | Key Win | Key Loss |
| Jazz | 4-6 | 118.5 | 123.0 | vs. Kings (128-119) | @ Thunder (106-133) |
| Nets | 4-6 | 109.0 | 117.7 | vs. Hornets (116-103) | vs. Bucks (99-116) |
Series History
Utah holds a commanding all-time edge (66-36 regular season since 1974), winning the last two meetings: 112-111 OT at home on Jan. 12, 2025 (Markkanen 28 PTS), and 105-94 in Brooklyn on Dec. 21, 2024. Nets’ last win was a 147-114 rout on Jan. 29, 2024. At Barclays, it’s split 1-1 over last two, with games averaging 226.5 points.
| Date | Result | Score | Key Performer |
| Jan. 12, 2025 | UTA Win | 112-111 (OT) | Markkanen: 28 PTS, 10 REB |
| Dec. 21, 2024 | UTA Win | 105-94 | George: 24 PTS, 7 AST |
| Jan. 29, 2024 | BKN Win | 147-114 | Porter Jr.: 31 PTS |
| Mar. 25, 2023 | UTA Win | 120-112 | Markkanen: 25 PTS |
| Nov. 27, 2022 | BKN Win | 113-107 | Claxton: 16 PTS, 12 REB |
Betting Trends
Nets are 10-11 ATS (47.6%), 9-11 as 4.5+ underdogs, but 5-2 ATS last 7 overall. Overs hit 13/20 Jazz games (65%) and 8/21 Nets (38.1%), with H2H averaging 227.5 (Under in 2/2 recent).
Trends: Jazz 2-6 ATS last 8 road; Nets 1-4 ATS last 5 home.
Game Odds
Utah Jazz – 4.5
Brooklyn Nets 232.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 3, 2025
