The Utah Jazz will aim to avoid their worst-ever start at home on Thursday night when they face the Dallas Mavericks in Salt Lake City.
Following a 120-112 loss to the visiting Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, the Jazz have an 0-5 record at the Delta Center. This marks their worst start on home court since the franchise moved to Utah in 1979 and matches the all-time worst start since their inaugural season in New Orleans in 1974.
Jazz coach Will Hardy remains optimistic during this youth-oriented rebuilding season. Utah has struggled to a 2-8 record but has managed to go 2-2 after losing the first six games of the season.
Despite trailing by double digits for most of the night, the Jazz cut Phoenix’s lead to six points when rookie Kyle Filipowski scored on a dunk with 10:18 remaining. John Collins led Utah with 29 points and 10 rebounds, Filipowski added 18 points, and Lauri Markkanen netted 17 points. Jordan Clarkson contributed 16 points and eight assists.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, are coming off a tough 120-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday in San Francisco. Klay Thompson scored 22 points in his celebrated return to his former team’s arena, but he was overshadowed by former teammate Stephen Curry’s 37-point performance.
Mavericks star Luka Doncic had a strong night, compiling 31 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. He is listed as probable to play Thursday despite a right knee contusion, while teammate P.J. Washington (sprained right knee) is listed as doubtful.
Thompson was emotional after returning to San Francisco and seeing his old team and fans. The Warriors gave out captain hats to fans in his honor, reflecting his love for boating and his habit of taking his boat across the bay to games at the Chase Center.
Thompson put Dallas up 110-105 with a 3-pointer with 5:17 left in the fourth quarter, but Curry scored the final 12 points for the Warriors, spoiling Thompson’s homecoming.
The Mavericks enter Utah on a three-game losing streak, having lost three close games by a total of six points. Before the defeat to the Warriors, Dallas lost 114-113 at home to the Phoenix Suns and then 122-120 at Denver.
Dallas won their first meeting with the Jazz this season, a 110-102 decision on Oct. 28 in Dallas. Kyrie Irving had 23 points, Thompson scored 18, and Doncic totaled 15 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists for the hosts. Collin Sexton led Utah with 23 points.
