9. Jazz Preseason Home Opener
Oct 11, 2021, 1:21 PM
Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale defends New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz open their season on October 20, just nine days from today. With the clock ticking, we look at 50 things for Jazz fans to be excited about leading up to the 2021-22 NBA season. Coming in at number nine, the Jazz preseason home opener.
Jazz Preseason Home Opener
The Jazz will host the New Orleans Pelicans tonight in their preseason home opener, marking the first time the team has appeared at Vivint Arena since losing to the Los Angeles Clippers in game five of the Western Conference Semifinals.
The team will look considerably different from their last live appearance at home, swapping out Derrick Favors, Georges Niang, Matt Thomas, Ersan Ilyasova, and Jarrell Brantley for Hassan Whiteside, Rudy Gay, Eric Paschall, and Jared Butler.
Our countdown of the top 50 reasons to be excited for the 2021-22 @utahjazz season. #TakeNote https://t.co/X45AS6m2de
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 8, 2021
For the first time this preseason, the Jazz are expected to roll out nearly their full lineup, minus Gay who is aiming to return to the court early in the regular season after having bone spur surgery during the offseason.
“We’re finally going to have a full roster beside Rudy Gay who is still out,” Bojan Bogdanovic said. “But we are all excited that we are getting close to the season opener.”
Through the team’s first two preseason games, Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles, Gay, and Bogdanovic have yet to suit up. During the team’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley, and Whiteside all sat out.
That mean’s tonight’s game against New Orleans will be the first true test for the new-look roster to show its improvement.
Bojan Bogdanovic said it sounds like the @utahjazz will be fully healthy tonight outside of Rudy Gay. #takenote | @KSLSports
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 11, 2021
Last month Vivint Arena announced that all of its events, including Jazz home games would require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test for fans wanting to attend games.
While the move may push some to avoid the games, guard Jordan Clarkson said that would be the fans’ loss.
“If you don’t come you’re missing the best show in town.”
The Jazz and the Pelicans tip-off at 7 pm MT, the game will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet and The Zone Sports Radio Network.
