Jazz perfectly encapsulates tanking in most painful way possible

This isn't good timing after the Utah Jazz's impressive victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, losses like the ones they had against the Charlotte Hornets shouldn't be discounted. Before the Jazz's win over the Cavaliers, getting torn limb from limb by the Hornets was not a good look, and there was a photo that encapsulated the feeling.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst shared this photo during the Hoop Collective podcast yesterday, and it's somber look was not exactly encouraging.

This is the photo that they found, shared by The Salt Lake Tribune's Andy Larsen.

The game was presumably already lost by that point, so basically finishing the game was a formality even if it was already clear what the final outcome was going to be. It isn't a great feeling to get beat at home - by a team currently worse than you no less - but to be beaten by over 50 is a whole new feeling by itself.

It's funny because Utah rebounded quite well from this. As it turns out, they are much better when Lauri Markkanen plays, which he did against the Cavaliers, who happen to be his former team.

It's great and all, but let's be honest, this season has had extreme highs and miserable lows. When games like the one against the Hornets happen, it feels like confirmation that the Jazz will only lose more games from here in this particular fashion. However, when games like the one against the Cavaliers happen, it feels like confirmation that the Jazz's future is quite promising.

Will the Jazz see more games like the Hornets or Cavaliers?

It's hard to say because of what's at stake. It's clear that Markkanen isn't a good stats, bad team guy. When he's playing, the Jazz have a chance against anyone. It's definitelyly the opposite when he doesn't. So, where Utah goes from here depends on how they handle Markkanen.

They are not the same team that they were last season, which in this context means that they are not nearly as lousy as they were in 2025. But everyone knows that if they try, they risk giving that pick to Oklahoma City, a team with a pretty good history of hitting home runs with their draft picks under Sam Presti.

There's enough season left for the Jazz to really pick any direction. What helps them is that the teams that are head of them aren't too far ahead of them. Indiana and Washington were once, but they have gotten their act together lately.

If Utah sees more games like the ones they did against Charlotte, it would be tough to swallow, but fans would take comfort in knowing it will get the team another pick. If Utah sees more games like the one they did against Cleveland, fans may not be cool with hurting their lottery odds, but it is cool to know that the Jazz are on step closer to becoming a playoff contender than we think.

It really will all depend on if we see more photos like the one Larsen shared.