With the first week of the season in the rear-view mirror, the Utah Jazz know more about their team, as well as the Western Conference. Namely, the Western Conference looks strong, as 10 teams are currently .500 or better.
Unexpected injuries to starters Lauri Markkanen (day-to-day with back spasms) and Taylor Hendricks (out for the season with a leg fracture and dislocated ankle) mean the Utah Jazz rotations are in flux.
This created some uncertainty against Sacramento on Tuesday night, a 113-96 Jazz loss in which the Kings ran roughshod over the Jazz in the third quarter on their way to a 27-point lead. Jordan Clarkson started in that game, and while he had 21 points and three assists on 50% shooting from the field, the move of Collin Sexton to the bench seemed to do more harm than good (4 points and 3 turnovers, 0-7 from the field).
Three of the teams the Jazz have faced to date—Golden State, Dallas, and Sacramento—are currently in playoff position and are a combined 9-4 on the season. Things will not get much easier over the next few weeks.
The Jazz entered the season with low enough expectations, but this next stretch coming up will be a doozy for them even if they had their full team.
After their Halloween night game against the San Antonio Spurs at home, the Jazz embark on a four-game road trip (Denver, Chicago, Milwaukee, and San Antonio) and get two games at home against Phoenix and Dallas. Then they're back on the road for four games in six nights (Sacramento, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, San Antonio). They will close out the month with home games against New York, San Antonio (again!), Denver and Dallas.
Even the easier games on the schedule might be a struggle if Markkanen misses extended time. San Antonio, despite a 2-3 record, looks improved over a year ago (eighth in the NBA in points allowed). Chicago has been stuck in mediocrity for several years, but they are 3-2 currently, and not an easy win by any means.
This means the young Utah Jazz roster will need to grow up in a hurry. The NBA season waits for no one, and the Jazz will need to adjust on the fly and find a way to make up for losing Markkanen's scoring and leadership, as well as Hendricks' starting spot and defense. Let's hope they can regroup and win a few games in November.