After losing to the Los Angeles Lakers last night, the Utah Jazz now stand at 5-11. At first glance, that looks bad. Even worse, it feels like a repeat of last season. However, even with their ongoing losing ways, this simply feels different from last season because even if the Jazz are among the lesser teams in the NBA, their games are still fun to watch.
The Ringer's Michael Pina summarized the Jazz pretty succinctly while shouting them out for their rather unique playing style.
"Watch the Jazz. Despite their (5-11) record and probable trip to the lottery, they’re distinct and stimulating, and they boast a resourceful head coach who knows how to steal a marginal edge. If you’re not good, be interesting. That’s Utah," Pina wrote.
Take their latest game against the Lakers, who have been one of the NBA's best teams this season. The Jazz only lost that game by one point, and even that doesn't paint the whole picture. Utah was down by as many as 11 with three and a half minutes to go. Typically that big of a deficit with that little time left means the game's over, but the Jazz had other ideas.
Not only did the Jazz catch up, but they arguably lost on a missed foul call that could have decided the game.
Will Hardy is absolutely furious that there was no foul call on this final play as the Jazz fought all the way back only to fall short to the Lakerspic.twitter.com/3t37diOiIu
— Hot Hand Theory (@HotHandTheory) November 24, 2025
It's not surprising the Jazz lost to the Lakers, but they didn't roll over and die like many thought they would.
This is the ideal way for the Jazz's season to go
Besides Lauri Markkanen seemingly reaching another gear (though he has been in a bit of a rut lately) and Keyonte George looking like a keeper as their starting point guard, the Jazz as a group simply play together and they play hard.
Because much of the roster is still young with players trying to figure out who they are, they aren't quite the players Utah expects them to be down the line. That's okay, as the Jazz are willing to let their youth go through some growing pains before they actually start trying.
This season may wind up being as repeat of last year from a record standpoint, but anyone who watches will see the clear-as-day difference between who the Jazz were then and who they are now. They aren't benching anyone, they are letting their young players feel themselves out, and they're being competitive.
Even if the Jazz aren't winning games, they are showcasing a winning culture. It may not translate into much presently, but it's another reason fans should be excited about what is coming to the team not too long from now.