The Utah Jazz adjusted their starting lineup significantly ahead of Wednesday’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, playing their first game of the season without both Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt. The absent pair have combined for over 32 points per game early in the season, forcing head coach and staff to reshape the team’s opening rotation.
Tip-off at 7:00 p.m. MT found the Jazz seeking to avoid a three-game losing streak. To counter the absence of their frontcourt stars, Utah deployed a starting five featuring Keyonte George at point guard, Darryn Peterson at shooting guard, Josh Green at small forward, Ace Bailey at power forward, and Jaxson Hayes at center.
George and Peterson continued to anchor the backcourt, maintaining the role they have held for each of the team’s first four games of the year. Their scoring production took on added importance with Markkanen and Jackson Jr. sidelined.
Bailey retained his spot in the starting five at forward, a position he has held since the second game of the regular season. Although Bailey began the season opener coming off the bench while Hayes filled the fifth starter role, his performance as a two-way presence secured his place in the opening rotation.
Hayes returned to the starting lineup to provide essential size against San Antonio and Victor Wembanyama. Hayes entered the evening listed as questionable due to a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the Jazz’s previous game against the Memphis Grizzlies, but he was cleared to play.
The most notable adjustment in the rotation was Green earning his first-ever start with Utah. Active for only two of the team’s first four games, the three-and-D wing stepped into significant playing time against the Spurs. Through his first two appearances of the season, Green averaged 3.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game, shooting 50.0% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc.
