Jaren Jackson Jr. delivered when his team needed it most on Friday night, sinking a clutch 3-pointer with the shot clock winding down to help lift the Utah Jazz to a tense 120-119 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in their home opener.
Jackson’s deep basket put Utah ahead 116-111 with 2:56 remaining, capping off a chaotic possession and cementing a standout performance that included a team-high 24 points and 10 rebounds. The Jazz ultimately needed every single point as they survived a frantic final sequence, watching as Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray missed a late jumper before time expired.
Utah debuted a modified starting lineup featuring Ace Bailey alongside Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, Lauri Markkanen, and Jackson. The tactical shift paid immediate dividends on the offensive end, where the Jazz displayed improved ball movement and synergy, shooting 53 percent from the field and racking up 19 assists. Despite their overall height, head coach Will Hardy’s emphasis on team rebounding resonated with the unit, as Utah outrebounded New Orleans 27-19 through collective effort on the glass.
Defensively, the Jazz showed marked improvement from their previous outing. George anchored that effort with relentless play, notably stopping two transition opportunities and recovering defensively late in the game to check Murray and challenge Zion Williamson at the rim. Four of Utah’s starters—Peterson, Jackson, Markkanen, and George—finished the night scoring in double figures.
Peterson, the No. 2 overall pick, displayed a much higher comfort level by letting the game come to him and avoiding forced shots. He sank a crucial 3-pointer from the right wing in the third quarter, fought through screens on defense, and converted clutch free throws with 50 seconds remaining to preserve the lead. Peterson finished with 15 points on 6-for-12 shooting.
Meanwhile, Utah’s frontcourt rotation put in heavy work to offset New Orleans’ physical challenge. Jackson rebounded effectively from a foul-plagued season debut by securing 10 boards—including four offensive—and turning away drivers at the rim while playing center. Jaxson Hayes contributed 17 points on blistering 7-for-8 shooting, and Lauri Markkanen added 16 points and six rebounds as the Jazz big men carried major minutes down the stretch.
