The NBA season is just around the corner, and the Utah Jazz have a lot to look forward to. For one, having a talented core and multiple All-Star-caliber players who are hungry to contend. But they have one troubling trend that needs to be reversed once and for all.
As the Jazz have been in the tank for the last several years, getting off to good starts hasn't been a priority in Salt Lake City, averaging a 7-13 record over the last four seasons (over their first 20 games each year).
Even during the Donovan Mitchell/Rudy Gobert era, the team averaged 11.5 wins in their first 20 games each season, which isn't a great mark. The 15-5 mark in the 2020-21 bubble season was the best showing those teams posted.
While the 2026-27 team doesn't need to match or surpass the all-time mark for opening a season (17-3 during the Stockton-to-Malone era in 1996-97), getting within shouting distance would show that the Jazz are indeed back and ready to contend.
And with the roster upgraded across the board, the Jazz should have the opportunity to win early and often this year.
But it won't be easy. Here's why
While there are a lot of positives for the Jazz in their quest to return to the playoffs, it won't be an easy road. And the NBA did them no favors with the schedule, which is unusually difficult for a team coming out of the lottery.
12 of the Jazz's first 20 games in the upcoming season are against teams that made the playoffs in 2025-26, including multiple dates against the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers, along with matchups against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, and the Phoenix Suns.
To counterbalance that, the Jazz do have multiple games against the Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, and the Memphis Grizzlies in the same span.
11 of the first 20 games are in the friendly confines of the Delta Center, which helps. After that, the Jazz will endure having 12 of the next 20 on the road. If they get off to a slow start, it could snowball by January and get out of control quickly.
Reversing their recent trend of poor starts to the season is vital for the Utah Jazz in 2026-27. They need to come out swinging and show that they're no longer a pushover in the Western Conference.
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